US Efforts to Alleviate Tensions Between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah and Find a Path to Ceasefire

While diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have yet to yield results and tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue, Axios reported on a one-hour virtual dialogue between US and Israeli officials to discuss these issues. On Wednesday, September 14, Axios cited four Israeli and American officials reporting that senior officials from the United States and Israel held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss ways to reduce tensions with Lebanon and prevent an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. According to the report, the meeting was chaired by Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden, with Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, other advisors to Biden, also in attendance. From Israel, Ron Dermer, Minister of Strategic Affairs and a confidant of Benjamin Netanyahu, was present. An Israeli official stated that the parties discussed how to achieve a long-term diplomatic solution to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as how to reduce tensions if an agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is not reached in the short term. Axios reported that Israel's main demand is that any diplomatic agreement with Lebanon includes the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces to at least 10 kilometers from the border. Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as Hamas in the Gaza Strip, are supported by the Iranian government. Reuters also reported on Wednesday, citing two American officials and two Egyptian security sources, that Washington is working to present a new proposal in the coming days to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Two American officials told the news agency that the new proposal from the Biden administration aims to resolve major issues that have stalled diplomatic negotiations over the past few months between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. On the other hand, the Israeli Prime Minister, who has insisted on maintaining the Philadelphi Corridor near the Gaza and Egypt border in recent days, stated on Wednesday that he is prepared to hand over this corridor to a third-party force in the second phase if Hamas agrees to Biden's ceasefire proposal. Benjamin Netanyahu, in a press conference with foreign media, stated that our condition for a permanent ceasefire is that the Philadelphi Corridor should not again be influenced by Hamas forces and that a group should take precise responsibility for this corridor. The Israeli Prime Minister also emphasized, 'Currently, it does not seem that the conditions for evacuating the Philadelphi Corridor by Israel and handing it over to a third party are feasible, so until this happens, we will remain there.' The United States strongly urged both Israel and Hamas on Tuesday to sign a ceasefire agreement, ending nearly 11 months of conflict in Gaza and releasing remaining hostages held by Palestinian militants. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the Biden administration's State Department, also announced that the United States will work 'in the coming days' with Egyptian and Qatari mediators 'to apply pressure for [reaching] a final agreement.' Israel has discovered tunnels in the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, which it claims are used by the Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas for arms smuggling. Israel has also stated that its military operations aim to neutralize the military threat posed by Hamas, and if it does not control this area, arms smuggling by this group and subsequent threats against Israel will continue. The US strongly urged Israel and Hamas to cease hostilities. The US Department of Justice has accused Yahya Sinwar and other Hamas leaders of terrorism. Biden criticized Netanyahu; the US President announced a 'draft agreement' between Israel and Hamas. US lawmakers reacted to the killing of Israeli hostages; Lindsey Graham stated that Iran should be held accountable. Continued abuse of civilian infrastructure; Hamas command center bombed under the 'Safad' school in Gaza. Peace negotiations and the release of hostages are at risk; Netanyahu insists on military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor.