Hochstein to urge Israel to confine any military conflict to within 7 kilometers of the border

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein is actively engaged in discussions with Israeli officials to de-escalate tensions on the Lebanese front and establish conditions for restoring peace at the Lebanon-Israel border, as per a recent report.

Lebanon plans to request Hochstein’s intervention in urging Israel to cease its current escalation. The aim is to reinstate a previously discussed agreement, which Israel has not adhered to, that limits any military confrontations to a range of three to five kilometers, or at most seven kilometers from the border. This was reported by Kuwait’s al-Jarida newspaper.

Hochstein’s ongoing talks in Israel, followed by his anticipated visit to Lebanon, occur amidst heightened tensions following Israel’s targeted killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold. This airstrike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and is the first bombing of Beirut since the 2006 war.

Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 8, the conflict has resulted in over 170 deaths in Lebanon, predominantly Hezbollah fighters, but also including more than 20 civilians and three journalists. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least four civilians and nine soldiers, as reported by the Israeli military.

While most exchanges of fire have been limited to the border region, Israel has conducted some strikes deeper into Lebanese territory.

Israel’s stance includes a demand for Hezbollah to retreat north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers north of the border. This demand aligns with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 from 2006.