US Envoy Hochstein in Beirut to Address Post-Gaza War Issues

Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab briefed Speaker Nabih Berri on his meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Rome (Parliament)
Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab briefed Speaker Nabih Berri on his meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Rome (Parliament)
TT

US Envoy Hochstein in Beirut to Address Post-Gaza War Issues

Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab briefed Speaker Nabih Berri on his meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Rome (Parliament)
Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab briefed Speaker Nabih Berri on his meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Rome (Parliament)

The global community closely watched the recent statement from Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, seen by many as a potential signal for diplomatic solutions to the conflict with Israel.

This has sparked attention across the region.

The arrival of US envoy Amos Hochstein in Lebanon, while lacking a detailed plan, is expected to at least initiate discussions on a post-Gaza war action plan.

Hezbollah still holds onto its initial stance, considering southern Lebanon as a supportive front for Gaza.

However, Nasrallah’s recent comments suggest a possibility for diplomatic options, leading observers to believe the party may be seeking a way to step back from its involvement in the war.

A former mediator revealed that Hezbollah remains firm in blocking any potential resolution.

The US sent questions to Hezbollah, but the party provided no answers, stating to come back after the end of the Gaza war.

This silence is seen by the Americans as a response in itself.

Ahead of Hochstein’s visit to Lebanon, a meeting in Rome between Lebanese Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab and Hochstein aimed to clarify issues.

Lebanese leaders are awaiting potential commitments from Hochstein, possibly secured from Israel.

Meetings are being held to keep all sides informed, and there is hope that Hochstein’s visit will pave the way for stability in Lebanon.

Bou Saab emphasized that it’s clear the US and Israeli demands focus on stabilizing the southern region and northern occupied Palestinian territories.

The Lebanese official rejected the idea that war, as suggested by Israel, will bring back settlers, stating that war is not the solution.

He emphasized the need for diplomatic efforts and dismissed the belief that war can resolve the situation, calling it a misguided notion.



Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
TT

Israeli Forces Surround Lebanon’s Khiam Ahead of Storming it

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

Israeli forces have blocked supply routes to the southern Lebanese border city of al-Khiam ahead of storming it.

They have also surrounded the strategic city with Hezbollah fighters still inside, launching artillery and air attacks against them.

Hezbollah fighters have been holding out in Khiam for 25 days. The capture of the city would be significant and allow Israeli forces easier passage into southern Lebanon.

Field sources said Israeli forces have already entered some neighborhoods of Khiam from its eastern and southern outskirts, expanding their incursion into its northern and eastern sectors to fully capture the city.

They cast doubt on claims that the city has been fully captured, saying fighting is still taking place deeper inside its streets and alleys, citing the ongoing artillery fire and drone and air raids.

Israel has already cut off Hezbollah’s supply routes by seizing control of Bourj al-Mamlouk, Tall al-Nahas and olive groves in al-Qlaa in the Marayoun region. Its forces have also fanned out to the west towards the Litani River.

The troops have set up a “line of fire” spanning at least seven kms around Khiam to deter anti-tank attacks from Hezbollah and to launch artillery, drone and aerial attacks, said the sources.

The intense pressure has forced Hezbollah to resort to suicide drone attacks against Israeli forces.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar television said Israeli forces tried to carry out a new incursion towards Khiam’s northern neighborhoods.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that since Friday night, Israeli forces have been using “all forms of weapons in their attempt to capture Khiam, which Israel views as a strategic gateway through which it can make rapid ground advances.”

It reported an increase in air and artillery attacks in the past two days as the forces try to storm the city.

The troops are trying to advance on Khiam by first surrounding it from all sides under air cover, it continued.

They are also booby-trapping some homes and buildings and then destroying them, similar to what they have done in other southern towns, such as Adeisseh, Yaround, Aitaroun and Mais al-Jabal.

Khiam holds symbolic significance to the Lebanese people because it was the first city liberated following Israel’s implementation of United Nations Security Council 425 on May 25, 2000, that led to its withdrawal from the South in a day that Hezbollah has since declared Liberation Day.