Hochstein: Working ‘Non-Stop’ to Secure Lebanon Ceasefire

The U.S. special envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, expressed that the United States is working tirelessly towards achieving a ceasefire in Lebanon. Speaking to local media, Hochstein emphasized, “We want the entire conflict to come to an end,” in an interview with the Lebanese TV channel LBCI from Washington, adding, “We are working on this non-stop.”

Israel has intensified its strikes, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions, since September 23. This escalation, following nearly a year of cross-border fire, has led to the deaths of more than 1,200 people and displaced around a million from their homes.

Reflecting on the situation, Hochstein condemned reports of Israeli strikes on U.N. peacekeeping posts in southern Lebanon on Friday, calling them “unacceptable.” He also offered his condolences to the families of two Lebanese soldiers who were reportedly killed by Israeli airstrikes in the country’s south on the same day.

Israeli attacks have hit various areas across Lebanon, including the south, the east, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. There have also been three deadly airstrikes on central Beirut. Hochstein specifically condemned Thursday’s strikes in the Beirut districts of Basta and Nweiri, which killed 22 people, calling them “totally unacceptable.”

“We’re facing an ongoing bombing campaign in Beirut, and it has to stop,” Hochstein stated. “We’re actively working to put an end to these bombings, especially in densely populated areas of Beirut.”

Earlier that same day, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, called on the United Nations to issue a resolution demanding an “immediate” ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.