Israeli officials see positive signs towards diplomatic path with Lebanon

Senior White House adviser Amos Hochstein held talks overnight with senior officials in the Israeli government as part of American efforts to ease tensions on the border between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, as Israel’s Channel 12 reported “positive indicators and initial signs towards a diplomatic path that may lead to a political settlement that ensures that the war does not expand.”

The channel added that Hochstein brought with him to Israel “indications that there is room for a diplomatic settlement,” and said that these signals would not have existed “without the tacit approval” of Hezbollah.

According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Hochstein has outlined to Israel the key elements of a proposed two-phase political settlement. In the first phase of the plan, Hezbollah would cease hostilities along the border and retreat between eight to ten kilometers north from the frontier.