Report: Hochstein seeking deal allowing both sides to claim victory

U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein is seeking an agreement through which both the Lebanese and Israeli sides can “appear victorious,” an informed source said in remarks to Kuwait’s al-Anbaa newspaper, quoting Western diplomats.

“One of the exits that he is looking for would be a balanced, mutual retreat from both sides of the border by Hezbollah’s fighters and the Israeli army with U.S. guarantees and an active role for the U.N. forces,” the daily said.

Hezbollah since October has traded almost daily cross-border fire from Lebanon with the Israeli army in support of Palestinian ally Hamas.

The cross-border violence since October 8 has killed nearly 500 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including 95 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, at least 29 people have been killed, the majority of them soldiers, according to Israeli authorities.