Lebanese parliament speaker Navi Berri says there is no chance Lebanon and Israel will reach a ceasefire agreement after President-elect Donald Trump reportedly urged US special envoy Amos Hochstein to push for a deal. I believe it is currently over 50%.
Israel has invaded southern Lebanon and carried out airstrikes across the Middle East country since October 1 with the aim of destroying the capabilities of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Hezbollah and Israel have been regularly engaged in cross-border gunfire since late last year, following an attack carried out against Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The Lebanese government does not control Hezbollah, but the militant group’s political wing is part of the country’s government. Berri, who heads the Amal Movement, which is politically aligned with Hezbollah, spoke about the latest round of ceasefire negotiations in an interview with Lebanese newspaper Adiyar published on Saturday, with the chances of an agreement now exceeding 50%. said.
“Berry said this optimism comes after Amos Hochstein confirmed in his last communication that he had received the green light from President-elect Donald Trump to proceed with talks and reach a ceasefire. “, the Arabic newspaper reported.
Lebanese and Israeli media reported last week that President Trump had instructed Hochstein to “go and finish the job and make a deal with Lebanon.” Hochstein currently serves as deputy chief of staff and senior energy and investment adviser to President Joe Biden, where he is leading negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
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“The American people re-elected President Trump because we trust him to lead our country and restore peace with our powers around the world. Once he returns to the White House, we will take the necessary actions to do just that.” “Trump President Caroline Leavitt-Vance Transition spokesperson told Newsweek in an email.
A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek on Saturday that the U.S. government “continues to work on a durable diplomatic resolution that will restore lasting peace so that the people of both Lebanon and Israel can safely return to their homes.”
Newsweek reached out to Israel’s Ministry of Defense for comment via email on Saturday.
Mr. Beri told Mr. Adiyar that President Trump’s reported decision appeared to have given a boost to the possibility of a deal. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously “sabotaged” negotiations, but added: “The current situation, especially since Hochstein announced direct support from President-elect Trump to achieve this goal, “The situation is different and appears to be more serious.”
Meanwhile, Hochstein told Axios earlier this week that he believed there was “a chance” for a ceasefire agreement, adding: “I’m hopeful that we can get it done.”
More than 3,400 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since the end of 2023, with about 80% of those casualties occurring in the past two months, The Associated Press reported, citing the Lebanese Ministry of Health. It is said that there is. More than 100 Israeli security forces and civilians were also killed in the fighting.
Hezbollah and Israel have had tense relations for decades, but the current conflict erupted after Hamas attacked Israel last October. The attack, carried out by Palestinian militants allied with Hezbollah, left around 1,200 Israelis dead. Israel continues to wage war against Gaza, killing more than 43,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, according to the Associated Press.
Updated November 16, 2024, 12:51pm ET: Added comments from the Trump transition team.
Updated November 16, 2024, 2:52 PM ET: Added comment from the State Department.
