Reuters: Hezbollah Rejects U.S. Proposal for 'De-escalation'

Reuters reports that the Lebanese group Hezbollah, supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, has rejected Washington's proposal to reduce hostilities with Israel, including 'removing its fighters from the border.' However, Lebanese officials say that the doors remain open for U.S. diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider war. Amos Hochstein, the U.S. envoy in Beirut, is leading diplomatic efforts to restore security along the Israel-Lebanon border. The attacks by Iranian-backed Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea, U.S. retaliatory strikes, and conflicts in other parts of the Middle East have underscored the necessity of these efforts. A senior Lebanese official familiar with Hezbollah's views told Reuters that Hezbollah is 'ready to listen.' Hezbollah's position is that it will launch missiles at Israel until a complete ceasefire is established in Gaza. One Lebanese official and a security source told Reuters that the group's flexibility regarding diplomatic efforts indicates their desire to avoid a broader war. Three Lebanese officials and a European diplomat told Reuters that Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organization by Washington, has not participated directly in negotiations, but Hochstein's proposals have been conveyed to the group through Lebanese intermediaries. Three Lebanese sources and an American official said that one of the proposals was to reduce border clashes while Israel decreases its operations in Gaza. Two of the three Lebanese officials and one Israeli official said another proposal is for Hezbollah to keep its fighters at least 7 kilometers away from the border. Lebanese officials stated that this proposal has been communicated to Hezbollah. This proposal is significantly less than Israel's request for a 30-kilometer withdrawal to the Litani River in Lebanon. The office of the Israeli Prime Minister declined to comment on 'diplomatic talks' and did not respond to Reuters. A senior Hezbollah official, who wished to remain anonymous, told Reuters that after the war in Gaza ends, the group is ready to support Lebanese negotiations to reach an agreement on disputed border areas. According to Reuters, Mohanad Hijazi, deputy director of the Carnegie Middle East Center, says the Islamic Republic avoids the widespread destruction of Hezbollah and Lebanon, especially since it has previously had to bear the costs of reconstruction. Israel states that if diplomacy fails to restore security to northern Israel, its military will take action. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in his recent speech, indicated that this 'threat' was a warning that Israel would enter the next phase of the war in Gaza and move forces towards its northern borders. He added that Hezbollah is ready to fight without 'limitations, laws, or borders.' However, Nasrallah also hinted at the possibility of advancing diplomatic negotiations, and commentators interpreted his remarks as a potential agreement to resolve the status of disputed border areas. France is also working to reduce tensions in the region. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Nasrallah's public statements regarding a potential border agreement were a 'direct message' to the Americans and the French. The continuation of tensions in the region; the likelihood of war between Israel and Lebanon has increased. Escalating tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border; three 'Hamas infiltrators' and two Israeli citizens were killed. Continued attacks on Hezbollah and Hamas positions; the Wall Street Journal: Israel is seeking to control the Gaza and Egypt border. Politico: Intelligence officials warn; the threat of Hezbollah attacking U.S. interests even on American soil is serious.