US envoy arrives in Beirut to resume ceasefire efforts in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel
US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Tuesday morning, the Lebanese National News Agency reported, amid efforts to reach a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Lebanese National News Agency reported the arrival of “US Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut”.
This comes the day after an official source familiar with the communications confirmed that Lebanon is dealing very positively with a US proposal for a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and is working on formulating final notes before conveying the response to the US side.
The official source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said on Monday, “It can be said that we have come a long way,” adding that the direction is positive and Lebanon is dealing very positively with the proposal.
The source explained, “We’re putting our final comments on the American formulation”.
Another government source said on Monday, “We’re waiting for the arrival of US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein to discuss some outstanding issues with him”.
Since Israel intensified its raids on Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon and in the southern suburbs of Beirut on September 23, international efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement have failed.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday that the United States had made proposals to both the Lebanese and Israeli governments.
Both parties have responded to the proposals we have made.
He explained in a statement to reporters, “There was an exchange of ideas about the mechanism for full implementation of Resolution 1701 issued by the United Nations Security Council, which we believe is in everyone’s interest, stressing that Washington is committed to this process”.
Since the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8, 2023, at least 3,516 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
