(Beirut) An envoy of US President Joe Biden said in Beirut on Wednesday that there was “no more time to lose” in reaching a Gaza ceasefire, which would also allow for a diplomatic solution ending hostilities between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel.
Amos Hochstein’s visit to Beirut comes on the eve of the resumption in Qatar of talks on a truce between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas.
Mr Hochstein said he had discussed with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of the powerful pro-Iranian Hezbollah, “the framework agreement that is on the table for a ceasefire in Gaza”.
PHOTO ANWAR AMRO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Amos Hochstein
“We agreed that there is no more time to lose […] “We must take advantage of this window to act and find diplomatic solutions,” said Amos Hochstein.
“The agreement should also allow for a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon, which would prevent the outbreak of a general war,” he added.
Fears of a regional conflagration have intensified since Israel killed a Hezbollah military leader in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on July 30, which the pro-Iranian group has vowed to avenge.
Iran also vowed to retaliate for the assassination in Tehran of the leader of Palestinian Hamas, which was blamed on Israel.
In late May, Mr. Biden presented a three-phase plan to lead to “a lasting ceasefire and the release of all hostages” held in Gaza since October 7.