Hochstein meets Gallant in Israel in effort to 'avoid war'

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in Israel Thursday where he held a meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, ahead of a possible visit to Lebanon.

“Israel would like to see a political solution, but understands that the chances are not high,” Gallant told Hochstein according to Israeli media reports.

“We’re committed to returning the north’s residents to their homes and the timeframe for the political solution is short,” Gallant added.

Israeli reports had said that Hochstein would explore the possibility of “preventing further escalation on the country’s northern border.”

Israeli newspaper Haaretz had reported Wednesday that Hochstein would visit Israel in a bid to “avoid a war between Israel and Lebanon,” especially after Israel’s brazen assassination of Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where are a stronghold of Hezbollah.

MTV meanwhile reported that Hochstein’s visit to Lebanon is not confirmed but rather hinges on “the developments that will take place during his visit to Israel this week.”

According to media reports, Hochstein intends to return to Lebanon to seek a land border delineation agreement between Israel and Lebanon similar to the U.S.-mediated deal reached over the maritime border.

“Should he manage to do so, he will be reviving Resolution 1701 and preventing any Israeli war on Lebanon,” the reports said.

The Israeli Defense Ministry said Hochstein was briefed on “the security situation on Israel’s northern border and the conditions required by the defense establishment to facilitate the secure return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes in the region.”

“Gallant reflected the determination of Israel’s defense establishment to change the security reality in northern Israel and along the border with Lebanon, and emphasized the top priority of enabling over 80,000 displaced Israelis to return to their homes,” the Ministry added.