President Joe Biden's Middle East envoy, Amos Hochstein, presented key points of a plan to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah during his visit to Israel on Sunday, Ynet reported.
The proposal consists of two phases, with Hezbollah first halting hostilities with Israel and retreating some 6 miles north from the Israeli border. Also in the first phase, Israeli residents will return to their homes, and both the Lebanese army and the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL will deploy in southern Lebanon and along the Israeli border in order to maintain stability.
In the second phase, Israel and Lebanon will start talks to demarcate the land border, including negotiations on 13 points on disputes. At the same time, the U.S. and the international community will look into offering "economic incentives" to Beirut.
Hochstein received a go-ahead from the Lebanese government for his plan, although it is unclear if Hezbollah agrees with it.
Hochstein, who recently met with Israeli officials such as President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Minister Benny Gantz, urged Israel to give his plan a chance.
Gallant emphasized Israel's commitment to its northern residents as its top priority, stating that it is prepared to resolve the crisis diplomatically but is ready for any contingency.
Both Gallant and Gantz expressed appreciation for the American efforts.
Gantz stressed to Hochstein that Lebanon is responsible for terrorism coming from its territory and that Israel will expand and intensify its military actions to eliminate the threat unless the international community and Lebanon carry out steps to do so.
During Hochstein's visit on Sunday, Israeli communities in the north were attacked 18 times. Israel hit back with strikes at targets in southern Lebanon.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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