US Representative Calls for Immediate Halt to Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah

Amos Hochstein, the special envoy of the US President, called for an 'immediate' de-escalation of tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border. During his visit to Beirut on Tuesday, June 18, he stated, 'It is in everyone's interest that these conflicts end as quickly as possible and through diplomatic means. De-escalation is both feasible and urgent.' Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel have intensified since last week when one of the group's senior commanders was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Concurrently with the US envoy's visit to Beirut, Hezbollah announced that its militants targeted an Israeli tank in a drone attack. Hezbollah's attacks, an Iranian-backed group, on northern Israel began a few days after the war in Gaza started, and since then, clashes between this group and the Israeli army have continued almost uninterrupted. Israel reported the death of a commander of Hezbollah's artillery unit. Reports indicate that on Monday, June 17, an additional Hezbollah militant was killed in Israeli attacks on border areas within Lebanon. The Israeli army announced that it had eliminated a senior commander of Hezbollah's artillery in a targeted airstrike in southern Lebanon. According to reports, the slain commander was named Mohammad Mustafa Ayoub, a key figure in the artillery and missile unit of this Iranian-backed militant group in southern Lebanon. Israel stated that he had designed and executed multiple attacks against Israeli civilians and northern regions of the country. Meanwhile, the special envoy of Joe Biden met with Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, who is an ally of Hezbollah. Amos Hochstein described the discussions with the Speaker as productive, adding, 'We discussed not only the current political and security situation in Lebanon but also a ceasefire plan for Gaza, which simultaneously provides a good opportunity to end the conflicts at the Lebanon-Israel border.' Hochstein added that the ceasefire plan in Gaza, which the US President outlined weeks ago, could ultimately lead to the end of the war in that strip. He stated, 'A ceasefire in Gaza or an alternative diplomatic solution could also end the conflict at the Israel-Lebanon borders and allow the return of displaced residents from southern Lebanon and northern Israel.' After meeting with Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, the US envoy described the discussions as 'excellent,' stating, 'This is a very serious and sensitive situation. The goal of our joint efforts is to find ways to prevent the escalation of tensions and intensification of conflicts.' In a statement released by the Lebanese Prime Minister's office, Mikati said that 'Israel's constant threats' would not distract the Lebanese government from focusing on maintaining calm. He emphasized, 'What is necessary is to stop Israel's attacks on Lebanon and restore calm and stability to the southern borders.' Amos Hochstein also met and discussed with the commander of the Lebanese army during his visit to Beirut. On Monday, he had also negotiated with the Prime Minister and President of Israel in Tel Aviv. Hezbollah announced last week that since October 8, a day after Hamas's attack on Israeli territory that triggered the recent war, it had conducted over 2,100 military operations against Israel. The group has repeatedly emphasized that it will only cease its attacks if a ceasefire is established in the Gaza Strip. According to AFP statistics, at least 473 people, most of whom were Hezbollah militants and about 90 others civilians, have been killed in Lebanon since the onset of hostilities. The Israeli government has also reported that at least 15 of its soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in Hezbollah's attacks.