Amos Hochstein, senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, stated that “there is a serious chance for a ceasefire” in Lebanon, where he arrived to mediate talks between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hochstein landed in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, to participate in ceasefire negotiations. According to Lebanon’s official news agency, NNA, his belongings underwent a detailed inspection as part of standard procedures at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.
During his visit, Hochstein met with the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, at the Speaker’s residence in Beirut. After the meeting, he addressed the media, emphasizing:
“We have a real opportunity to end the conflict. We hope to find a solution in the coming days.”
Hochstein described his discussions with Berri as constructive, reiterating that “there is a serious chance for a ceasefire.” He added that the ultimate decision to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah rests with the involved parties.
While Hochstein did not take questions from reporters, he later held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson presented a draft agreement for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to Berri. The Lebanese press reported that Hezbollah recently delivered its feedback on the proposal to Berri.
A senior Lebanese official informed Reuters that Lebanon and Hezbollah had accepted the U.S. proposal but expressed certain reservations. This step has been described as the most advanced progress towards a ceasefire to date.
Ali Hassan Khalil, a close aide to Berri, commented to Reuters:
“Lebanon presented its comments on the proposal in a positive atmosphere. All our feedback confirms our full commitment to UN Resolution 1701 and its provisions.”
Khalil stressed that the success of the initiative now depends on Israel’s willingness to engage constructively. “If Israel does not want a solution, it could create 100 different problems,” he remarked.
Following his discussions in Beirut, Hochstein is expected to travel to Tel Aviv. However, Israel’s stance on the proposed ceasefire remains uncertain. Historical patterns, including instances where Israel has added new conditions or undermined agreements at critical moments, suggest a cautious approach. The outcome of Hochstein’s visit to Israel will likely determine whether a sustainable peace agreement can be reached.
