Axios revealed on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, that U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein informed Lebanese officials that “Hezbollah would be mistaken to think that the United States could prevent Israel from invading Lebanon if the armed group continues its attacks” on Israel.
According to sources cited by the American website, Hochstein requested during his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to convey a message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, stating that the assumption that the United States could control Israel is incorrect.
Hochstein stated that the United States would not be able to restrain Israel if the situation on the borders continues to escalate, and that Hezbollah needs to engage in indirect negotiations with Israel instead of escalating tensions.
During his visit to Beirut last week, Hochstein said, “The situation is serious. What President Biden wants to do is avoid further escalation and move towards a larger war.”
He added, “It is in everyone’s interest to end this conflict now. We believe there is a diplomatic path to do so if both sides agree.”
Hezbollah has conveyed messages to America
A Western diplomatic source stated that Hezbollah has sent messages to the United States, indicating that despite its unwillingness for war, the group is confident in its ability to deliver strong blows to Israel if it decides to invade Lebanon.
According to the American website, the Biden administration is deeply concerned that both Israel and Hezbollah have misjudged their ability to avoid a full-scale war despite escalating tensions between them.
American officials also fear that without a ceasefire in Gaza, the war between Israel and Hezbollah will become more likely, significantly exacerbating the regional crisis and dragging the United States deeper into the conflict.
However, Israeli officials have informed Washington that Netanyahu is not interested in a war with Hezbollah and prefers a diplomatic solution, while American officials also state that Hezbollah prefers a diplomatic solution.
Seeking a way out to avoid war
American and Israeli officials are seeking a way out that does not rise to the level of a ceasefire in Gaza, which could lead to a calming of the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border, according to the American website.
Among these options is an attempt to exploit the end of the Israeli military operation in Rafah, which may take two weeks, and to end the intensive phase of the war in Gaza as a starting point for de-escalation.
At the same time, Israeli officials said that ending intensive operations in Gaza would allow the Israeli army to move its forces to the northern border of Israel in the event of diplomatic failure.
On Monday evening, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant the necessity for Israel to quickly develop a strong plan for post-war Gaza and ensure that tensions with Hezbollah do not escalate further.
A statement from the U.S. State Department following the ministers’ meeting stated, “Secretary Blinken briefed Minister Galant on ongoing diplomatic efforts to enhance security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza during the post-conflict period and emphasized the importance of this work for Israel’s security.”
