US Official Says Hezbollah Must Halt Attacks Before Diplomatic Progress
US links any diplomatic progress to an end of attacks.
The United States has said that Hezbollah must be the first party to halt attacks in order to advance diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Israel and Lebanon. A senior US official revealed on Sunday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding ongoing negotiations to prevent further escalation along the border.
According to the official, Washington proposed a framework under which Hezbollah would immediately stop all attacks on Israel. In return, Israel would refrain from expanding military operations in Beirut. The proposal is part of broader US-led efforts to prevent the conflict from widening and to create conditions for renewed diplomatic engagement between the two sides.
The official said President Aoun attempted to move the proposal forward, but the response from Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was described as “evasive and disappointing.” Berri is widely regarded as a key ally of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and has played a central role in political discussions surrounding the conflict.
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Hezbollah, however, has maintained that Israel must first end its military operations before the group considers halting its attacks. The disagreement highlights the significant obstacles facing mediators seeking to secure a ceasefire. The US official accused Hezbollah of following the direction of Tehran and argued that the group was not acting in the interests of the Lebanese population.
The diplomatic push comes as Netanyahu vowed to deepen Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The growing offensive has raised international concern, prompting France to request an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday as global powers assess the worsening situation and its potential regional consequences.
Another round of talks involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives is scheduled to be held in Washington on June 2 and 3. Meanwhile, Lebanon's health ministry has reported that Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,412 people since early March and displaced over one million residents, underscoring the mounting humanitarian impact of the conflict.
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