A senior White House official, Amos Hochstein, is set to meet with French officials in Paris to discuss ways to de-escalate the border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The conflict has caused Israel to lose sovereignty in its north, according to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
Hochstein, President Biden’s de facto envoy on the matter, will meet with French officials to explore proposals to halt the fighting. The White House had no immediate comment on the visit.
Efforts to prevent a war between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Iran, have been ongoing for months. Tensions have grown as cross-border fire intensifies, with Israel considering shifting its military focus from Hamas to Hezbollah, a more advanced threat.
Despite the escalating situation, experts believe there is still time for a diplomatic solution. Blinken emphasized that the key players — Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran — do not want war but that the momentum of clashes could lead in that direction.
The key to resolving the issue lies in an agreement to pull back forces from the border. Hochstein has been engaged in negotiations with both Israeli and Lebanese officials to find a solution, which could involve Hezbollah pulling back from the border, economic assistance for southern Lebanon, and potentially Israeli withdrawal from disputed areas.
Blinken emphasized the importance of reaching a cease-fire in Gaza, as Hezbollah has indicated it would stop firing into Israel if that were to happen. However, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are at a standstill.
In conclusion, efforts are ongoing to prevent a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, with diplomatic solutions being explored to de-escalate tensions in the region.
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