The mission of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who was officially sent to Israel and Lebanon to “de-escalate” tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, seems to have shifted as a result of skyrocketing tensions across the Lebanese border. In his meetings in Beirut on June 18, Hochstein reportedly delivered “blunt” warnings to Lebanese officials that Israel is preparing to launch a limited offensive against Hezbollah and will have U.S. support if a diplomatic solution isn’t found, a senior Arab official told Middle East Eye. Hochstein met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, both of whom the U.S. has used as intermediaries with Hezbollah.
Hochstein reportedly told Lebanese officials that Israel anticipates roughly five more weeks of intense fighting in Gaza, after which it will pause its main offensive across the enclave. However, it will continue to target senior Hamas officials and conduct attacks to recover hostages. Hochstein said that the mentioned lull in Gaza fighting gives Hezbollah and Israel an opportunity to end their conflict and start negotiations, with or without a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, said the Arab official, who spoke to MEE on condition of anonymity.
Hochstein warned that once fighting in Gaza pauses, Israeli officials intend to turn their full focus to the northern border with the aim of pushing Hezbollah back from the area so that the roughly 60,000-96,000 displaced Israelis can return to their homes before the start of school in the fall.
