A White House official, Amos Hochstein, is set to meet with French officials in Paris to discuss the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. This conflict has caused Israel to lose sovereignty in its north, according to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
Hochstein, appointed President Biden’s envoy for resolving the border conflict, is expected to meet with French officials to explore potential solutions. Lebanon’s historical ties with France have led to the country offering proposals to halt the fighting.
The fear of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah has increased as cross-border exchanges intensify. Israeli officials have hinted at shifting their military focus from Hamas to Hezbollah, a more advanced threat. The U.S. has been working to prevent a war between the two sides and believes a diplomatic solution is still possible.
Secretary Blinken emphasized that no one wants a war, but the current clashes could lead to the momentum towards one. The U.S. fears being drawn into a conflict if Israel is attacked. Diplomatic efforts involve negotiating a Hezbollah pullback from the border in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from disputed areas and potential economic assistance for southern Lebanon.
The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands of people from the region and is causing widespread insecurity. Resolving the issue will require an agreement to pull back forces from the border and potentially reach a cease-fire in Gaza to ease tensions. Hochstein’s efforts aim to facilitate negotiations to prevent further escalation and find a peaceful resolution.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com