Netanyahu meets Biden’s adviser to discuss border tensions with Lebanon

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday with US President Joe Biden’s senior adviser, Amos Hochstein, to address escalating tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, with US Presidential Special Envoy Amos Hochstein,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

“Also participating in the meeting were Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, the Prime Minister's Chief-of-Staff, Tzachi Braverman, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser, Dr. Ophir Falk, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Israel Stephanie Hallett,” the statement added.

The statement did not provide further details about the discussions.

Earlier on Monday, Hochstein arrived in Israel for a visit that the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported would continue to Lebanon on Tuesday.

The mission aims to defuse tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

The US official envoy is also scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz.

In recent weeks, the Israeli-Lebanese border has witnessed a significant escalation. The US has repeatedly called for de-escalation.

In October 2022, Lebanon and Israel, mediated by Hochstein, signed an agreement to delineate their maritime borders. Hezbollah hailed the agreement as a major victory for Lebanon.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 37,300 people since last October following a Hamas attack.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio