In Beirut, Hochstein says diplomacy 'only way' to end Israel-Hezbollah clashes

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein said Monday that a diplomatic solution is key to ending nearly five months of intensifying hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

"A diplomatic solution is the only way to end the current hostilities" across the Lebanon-Israel border, Hochstein told reporters after meeting Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut.

"Escalation of violence is in no one’s interest and there is no such thing as a limited war. Escalation will not help the Lebanese and Israeli people return home. Escalation will not resolve this crisis and escalation will certainly not help Lebanon rebuild and advance forward at this critical time in Lebanon’s history,” Hochstein said.

“A temporary ceasefire is not enough. A limited war is not containable and the security paradigm along the Blue Line has to change in order to guarantee everyone’s security,” Hochstein added.

“Our position on the hostilities has been consistent and remains clear: the United States believes that a diplomatic solution is the only way to end the current hostilities along the Blue Line that will achieve a lasting, fair security arrangement between Lebanon and Israel,” the U.S. official went on to say.

Stressing that “the people of Lebanon and Israel have the right to live in peace and prosperity,” Hochstein said the U.S. is working with its global partners to “consider ways we can leverage our efforts to advance opportunities for prosperity and stability in Lebanon.”

“An important part of any understanding will include international support for Lebanon,” Hochstein said.

Asked whether he could “guarantee” that the anticipated Gaza ceasefire would apply to Lebanon, Hochstein said a truce there would not “necessarily” or “automatically” apply to Lebanon, adding that his discussions in Beirut and Israel are aimed at reaching certain “arrangements” leading to a “diplomatic solution.”