Jun 14, 2024 - World

Biden to send senior adviser to Israel for talks on Lebanon escalation

Barak Ravid

Two men stand by a truck as they watch smoke plumes rising from a fire in a field after rockets launched from southern Lebanon landed near Katzrin in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on June 13, 2024 — Two men stand by a truck as they watch smoke plumes rising from a fire in a field after rockets launched from southern Lebanon landed near Katzrin in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on Jun. 13, 2024. Photo: Jalaa Marey/AFP

President Biden's envoy Amos Hochstein is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday in an effort to prevent the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah from turning into an all out war, two Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: Amid the highly sensitive push to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza, a war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group would dramatically exacerbate the regional crisis and draw the U.S. deeper into the conflict.

Over the last few days, preventing violence on the Israeli-Lebanese border from erupting into a war turned into an urgent priority for the White House, second only to getting a ceasefire in Gaza, U.S. officials say.

Driving the news: Israel conducted an airstrike on Tuesday that killed a senior Hezbollah commander in the town of Jwaya, about six miles north of the border.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Hezbollah retaliated by launching it largest attacks against Israel since Oct. 7.
The militia fired about 400 rockets and drones at targets across northern Israel.

What they're saying: The leaders of the G7 countries said in a joint statement at the end of their meeting in Italy on Friday that they are "particularly concerned" by the situation along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

"We recognize the essential stabilizing role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in mitigating that risk. We urge all involved actors to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation," they said.

What to watch: Hochstein is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss de-escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and to urge them against a "limited ground invasion" in Lebanon, according to an Israeli official and a source with knowledge.

A source with knowledge said Hochstein might also travel to Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials.
Next Thursday, a senior Israeli delegation headed by Netanyahu's Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi will arrive at the White House for talks about Lebanon, Gaza and the Iranian nuclear program, Israeli officials said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from G7 leaders.

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Biden to send senior adviser to Israel for talks on Lebanon escalation

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