Beirut: The United States is at the forefront of a novel diplomatic initiative aimed at resolving conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, with these two issues being integrated into a comprehensive strategy, six sources with knowledge of the matter have confirmed.
The negotiations are currently taking place at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as per information shared by two officials from Lebanon, two diplomats from Western countries, a source with insights into Hezbollah's strategy, and another individual with knowledge of the discussions.
The White House National Security Council has yet to provide a statement in response to inquiries regarding the matter. However, three officials from Israel have indicated that while the United States and France are collaborating on ceasefire proposals, there has been limited progress in this regard.
This integration of the conflicts into a unified diplomatic strategy would represent a novel approach by the United States in its diplomatic efforts.
It is understood that the agreement could potentially lead to the release of prisoners captured during the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2020, which ignited hostilities throughout the Middle East. This incident has been a significant factor in the United States' efforts to mitigate tensions in the region.
Following the attack, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli military outposts along the southern border of Lebanon, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. Since then, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah has reiterated his group's stance against Israel, stating that they will continue to engage in hostilities until Israel ceases its military operations in Gaza.
In recent days, Israel has significantly escalated its military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in the elimination of several Hezbollah commanders during a strike on Friday and the execution of attacks on Monday, which led to the deaths of over 550 individuals, including 50 children, as reported by Lebanese health authorities.
This escalation has prompted a diplomatic push to de-escalate the conflict on both fronts.
According to sources, Hezbollah has expressed openness to any resolution that encompasses both Gaza and Lebanon.
A second source, who is familiar with Hezbollah's strategic considerations, has indicated that a comprehensive package is necessary to halt the ongoing conflicts.
Furthermore, a notable development in the diplomatic efforts is the announcement by Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, who has decided to travel to New York for discussions on recent developments, a decision that deviates from his previous plans to attend.
