With just five days to go until the election of a new U.S. president, international diplomacy is moving rapidly toward a possible truce in Lebanon. Israel is considering a ceasefire, perhaps temporary, with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite organization. This development has attracted considerable attention, especially in light of recent talks between Israeli and American officials.
Israeli Foreign Minister Ron Dermer has traveled to the United States to meet with President-elect Donald Trump and his advisers. This meeting marks the first official contact between Jerusalem and the new American administration. Although Gideo Sa’ar is the new Foreign Minister, Dermer serves as the main diplomatic interlocutor.
Commentators point out that on the table in Washington are crucial issues such as the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, tensions with Iran and the possibility of expanding the Abraham Accords to improve relations between Israel and Arab countries. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had already discussed the Iranian threat with Trump. In the evening, an Israeli security cabinet meeting was held to review the situation in Lebanon and efforts to reach a ceasefire. In addition, Dermer recently visited Moscow to further explore the possibilities of ending the fighting.
Talks between the parties appear to have been ongoing for some time; a Russian delegation visited Israel on October 24 to discuss the situation. U.S. officials have confirmed progress in negotiations led by envoy Amos Hochstein. There are expectations that an agreement could be reached before Biden’s formal inauguration at the White House. However, not everyone in Israel is in favor of an immediate ceasefire. Opposition leader Benny Gantz has expressed concern about international pressure and argued that the military should step up operations against Hezbollah. For his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib confirmed the country’s commitment to respecting United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, while Israeli raids continue to hit several areas of Lebanon.
With the US elections approaching and the situation in the Middle East so volatile, future developments could have a significant impact on regional dynamics. The determination of the various parties involved in the conflict will be crucial in deciding whether a truce can actually take shape or whether we will head towards further escalations of tension.
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