ARAB AND WORLD

Mon 16 Sep 2024 4:32 pm - Jerusalem Time

Galant discusses developments on the Lebanese front with Washington's envoy

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant discusses developments on the Lebanese front with US envoy to Israel Amos Hochstein.


Channel 12 Israel said, "Galant is currently meeting with Hochstein, in a last-ditch attempt to prevent a major escalation in the north on the Lebanese front."


She added: "The assessment in Israel is that the chance of reaching a settlement in Lebanon, without a ceasefire in Gaza, is slim."


Hochstein arrived in Israel on Monday, where he is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of preventing a comprehensive war with Lebanon.


In recent days, calls have increased in Israel to wage war on Hezbollah in Lebanon, coinciding with the escalation of its missile attacks on northern settlements, including those that have not been evacuated of settlers.


Israeli media reported in recent days that Washington wants to prevent a war from breaking out before the US presidential elections scheduled for next November.


On the eve of Hochstein's arrival in Tel Aviv, the Israeli Defense Minister informed his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, in a phone call, that the chances of reaching a settlement that would end the confrontations with Lebanon "are fading as Hezbollah continues to link itself to Hamas."


While Washington is trying to mediate a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said on July 10 that “Hamas is negotiating on its own behalf and on behalf of all Palestinian factions, and whatever Hamas accepts, we will all accept.”


With the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, and the support of the United States, Israel and Hamas have been conducting indirect negotiations for months, which have been faltering due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim Corridor (dividing northern Gaza from southern Gaza), the Rafah Crossing, and the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with Egypt, while Hamas insists on a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army.

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Galant discusses developments on the Lebanese front with Washington's envoy