US Envoy in Beirut Says Lebanon Cease-fire 'Within Our Grasp'

Facts

• White House envoy Amos Hochstein said while in Beirut on Tuesday that there was a 'real opportunity to bring this conflict to an end,' adding that a cease-fire in Lebanon 'is now within our grasp.'^[1]
• Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, leader of the Shiite Amal Movement who has negotiated on Hezbollah's behalf, met with Hochstein on Tuesday and said the US-backed proposal was 'good in principle' but some details still needed to be hashed out.^[2][3]
• As negotiations progress, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have continued, with a strike late on Monday hitting central Beirut, killing five people and wounding 31. Hezbollah has also continued to attack Israel, firing a long-range missile at Tel Aviv on Monday, with six wounded by falling shrapnel after it was intercepted.^[4][5]
• Meanwhile, Israeli Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar traveled to Turkey over the weekend to discuss restarting negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.^[6]
• The move comes after reports that Qatar, which paused its role as a mediator in cease-fire negotiations, asked Hamas to leave Doha for Turkey. Qatar said that Hamas' negotiating team were 'not now in Doha' but added that the group's political office in the country has not been closed.^[7][8]
• The Biden admin. has reportedly warned Turkey against hosting members of Hamas' leadership. Turkey said that members of Hamas' politburo visit Turkey 'from time to time' but that 'the claims that the Hamas Political Bureau has moved to Turkey do not reflect the truth.'^[8]

Sources: ^[1]Reuters, ^[2]Timesofisrael (a), ^[3]Middle East Eye (a), ^[4]Associated Press, ^[5]Al Jazeera, ^[6]Timesofisrael (b), ^[7]Middle East Eye (b) and ^[8]Euronews.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by NBC. Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it is in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israelis from the north must be able to return to their homes as soon as possible. However, the status quo that dominated the Israeli-Lebanese border between 2006 and Oct. 7, 2023 cannot be returned to. Though it is unlikely that Israel would be able to completely dismantle Hezbollah's terrorist networks, the group must withdraw from South Lebanon and not return. How a new status quo will be enforced is yet to be defined, but there should be no question that Hezbollah must be pushed back.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Israel and the US are using the exact same playbook they've been using throughout this entire war — feigning diplomacy while escalating the conflict. Indeed, Israel has demonstrated that it seeks to expand its genocidal campaign that began in Gaza to Lebanon. Though the US, the most powerful country in the world, has continued its charade that it wants de-escalation, the reality is the US fully supports Israel's crimes across the region.
• Narrative D, as provided by Almayadeen. Though Hezbollah and Lebanon have experienced immense suffering for supporting Palestine against Israel's genocidal actions, the group is capable of fighting for many years to come. It has effectively countered Israel's attempts at advancing into Lebanese territory and will continue to defend Lebanon until a suitable political solution is offered. Lebanese sovereignty will not be compromised.