BEIRUT, June 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein on Tuesday called for urgent de-escalation in cross-border fire exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel, the National News Agency reported.
During his visit to Beirut, Hochstein said it is in everyone's interest to resolve the conflict along the blue line between Israel and Hezbollah quickly and diplomatically, noting it is "both achievable and urgent."
Hochstein's remarks came following his meeting with Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri, with whom he discussed a potential deal on Gaza with Israel.
The U.S. envoy also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who said that "Lebanon does not seek escalation, and what is required is to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and return to calm and stability on the southern border."
Hochstein said that "a ceasefire in Gaza or an alternative diplomatic solution could also bring the conflict across the Blue Line to an end."
Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. ■
