The newspaper reported that prior to President Joe Biden’s speech outlining the Israeli proposal for a hostage deal, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabia Berri received a phone call from American envoy Amos Hochstein. According to sources familiar with the conversation, Speaker Berri was taken aback by the call as it seemed that the American mediator’s optimism had waned due to the Israeli government’s response to Biden’s proposal. However, it is important to note that the American administration is committed to reaching a peaceful solution in the region and will engage in negotiations on unresolved matters once calm is achieved.
Hochstein emphasized the need to continue negotiations to find a resolution on the southern front and to work towards peace in Gaza before addressing any remaining issues. The sources revealed that Speaker Berri was taken aback by Hochstein’s comments, as she had hoped for a quick resolution of the situation on both fronts. She expressed her concerns about the ongoing violence and instability in Gaza and urged Hochstein to press Israel for a ceasefire agreement.
The report also stated that Hochstein reminded Speaker Berri of her country’s role in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas in previous years, emphasizing that they needed to maintain their neutrality in order for any future talks to be successful. Despite this, sources close to Speaker Berri said that she felt frustrated by Hochstein’s position, believing that Israel should take immediate action against Hamas rather than engaging in further negotiations.
In conclusion, while there may be differences of opinion regarding how best to approach the situation on both fronts, it is clear that all parties involved are committed to working towards peace and stability in the region. As such, continued engagement and dialogue between Israel and its neighbors will be crucial in achieving this goal.
