Hochstein in Israel for talks on 'preventing war with Lebanon'

Senior Biden adviser Amos Hochstein arrived in Israel on Monday for talks with senior Israeli officials on preventing a war between Israel and Lebanon, two U.S. and Israeli officials told U.S. news portal Axios.

Hochstein arrived in Israel after another day of escalating skirmishes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army on the border, with heavy bombardments by the Lebanon-based group and airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force.

Hochstein is expected to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Israeli army chief of staff Herzi Halevi, and Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, an Israeli official said.

Israel wants the U.S. to work diplomatically to press Hezbollah to pull back its elite Radwan Force from the border with Israel, a senior Israeli official said.

Israel has evacuated tens of thousands of residents from Israeli villages and towns close to the border as a precaution.

The Israeli official said these civilians will not go back to their homes if they believe there is a threat on the other side of the border.