Report: US asks Hezbollah to persuade Hamas to accept ceasefire

The U.S. has indirectly asked Hezbollah to engage in mediation efforts with Hamas to “reach an agreement that would stop the Gaza war and consequently the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah,” according to a media report.

During a phone call with Speaker Nabih Berri, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein requested that Berri ask Hezbollah to intensify its efforts with Hamas. This request is meant to run parallel with ongoing efforts with Israel, aiming for a ceasefire in Gaza, the *Nidaa al-Watan* newspaper reported on Friday.

Hochstein explained that his unprecedented request aligns with Hezbollah’s decision to link the southern front to Gaza. He suggested that success in stopping the war in the Palestinian sector would automatically lead to halting the confrontations in the south.

However, Hezbollah declined to assume this role in its response, which was communicated back to Hochstein through Berri, according to the *Nidaa al-Watan*.