Berri, Hochstein: ‘No More Time to Waste’ on Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein issued a warning on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgency of achieving a Gaza ceasefire that could also bring an end to the ongoing cross-border clashes between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel, which have persisted for 10 months.

During a press conference in Beirut, Hochstein stated that he and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah, discussed the “framework agreement currently on the table for a Gaza ceasefire.” Both agreed that “there is no more time to waste, and there are no more valid excuses from any party for further delays.”

Hochstein explained that the proposed deal would not only facilitate a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon but also help prevent the outbreak of a wider conflict. “We must seize this opportunity for diplomatic action and solutions. The time is now,” he urged.

Speaker Berri expressed the need to “halt the Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon that has continued for over 10 months.” He voiced deep concern over the “escalatory steps taken by Israeli political and military leaders, particularly through the policy of cross-border assassinations,” which he believes indicate Israel’s intent to continue its military escalation and derail any efforts to end the conflict.

Berri also reaffirmed “Lebanon’s commitment to renewing the mandate of UNIFIL forces in accordance with U.N. resolution 1701,” a resolution Lebanon has consistently sought to fully implement since its adoption in 2006.

Hochstein arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for talks with Lebanese officials, amid growing efforts to reduce tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon has been on high alert since a recent strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs killed Hezbollah’s top military commander, shortly followed by the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an attack widely attributed to Israel.

Iran and Hezbollah have vowed to retaliate, raising fears that such actions could lead to a broader conflict. As a result, airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon, and several countries have urged their citizens to leave.

According to the pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar, Hochstein is not expected to offer a solution but rather to deliver warnings and threats. Hochstein’s last visit to Beirut and Israel was in June, as part of efforts to prevent further escalation and to negotiate a ceasefire along Lebanon’s border.

Meanwhile, international mediators are attempting to restart stalled ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas with a new round of talks set to begin on Thursday. However, the likelihood of a breakthrough remains uncertain.

Before his meeting with Hochstein, Berri told Al-Akhbar that he would have preferred the meeting to occur after the ceasefire talks, as he was unsure of the information Hochstein would bring to Lebanon.