US Initiates New Effort to End Hostilities in Lebanon and Gaza, Sources Report

By Maya Gebeily, Laila Bassam, and Matt Spetalnick

BEIRUT/NEW YORK – The United States is leading a new diplomatic push aimed at ending hostilities in both Gaza and Lebanon, intertwining the two conflicts into a unified initiative, as reported by multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Discussions regarding this initiative are taking place alongside the U.N. General Assembly in New York, according to various Lebanese officials and diplomats from Western nations, as well as a source knowledgeable about Hezbollah’s stance.

As these diplomatic efforts continue, Israel has indicated the possibility of a ground incursion as part of its intensified military campaign against Hezbollah. Israeli officials have noted that, while ceasefire proposals are under discussion by the U.S. and France, substantial progress remains elusive.

This marks the first significant attempt to simultaneously address both fronts in a U.S. diplomatic effort. The proposed agreement would include the eventual release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack on Israel, according to a senior Lebanese source and others involved in the talks.

The White House National Security Council did not provide immediate comments, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also refrained from commenting.

The violence in the region has escalated since the October 7 assault by Hamas, which led to over 1,200 deaths in southern Israeli communities and around 250 individuals taken hostage. This attack triggered an Israeli military response in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 41,000 individuals, as reported by local authorities.

In the wake of the Hamas attack, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israeli military positions from Lebanon, declaring these actions as supportive of Gaza. The group has stated it will continue its assaults on Israel until its attacks on Gaza cease, with U.S. attempts to mediate a ceasefire and secure hostages’ release having failed.

INCREASED ISRAELI ATTACKS

Israel has significantly escalated its military actions against Hezbollah, conducting numerous airstrikes and reportedly killing several commanders and many others, according to Lebanese sources. Since October, tens of thousands have fled from both sides of the border, with an additional half a million now attempting to escape a potential Israeli ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

A senior Western diplomat indicated that the U.S. seeks an agreement that involves an Israeli declaration to halt major military actions in Gaza, followed by efforts to establish a ceasefire in Lebanon and potentially address the disputed Israeli-Lebanese border.

This framework might provide Hezbollah with a way to avoid a full-scale war with Israel, according to the same diplomatic source, alongside others familiar with the situation expressing Hezbollah’s readiness to consider any resolution involving both Gaza and Lebanon.

Conversations are focusing on initiating a "pause" in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, alongside reviving stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as stated by a U.S. source.

On the margins of the U.N. meetings, Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides noted that the U.S. and France are looking to establish an interim agreement to prevent further escalation and pave the way for broader diplomatic talks.

In a development reflecting heightened diplomatic activity, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced a surprise trip to New York.

A CALL FOR A SETTLEMENT

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has posed significant political challenges for the Biden administration and affected Vice President Harris’ Democratic campaign. Additionally, the turmoil in Lebanon has intensified the urgency for Biden to secure a diplomatic resolution.

Biden remarked that while an all-out war in the Middle East is a possibility, there remains a chance for a comprehensive settlement. Insiders in Washington indicated that discussions aim to create an opportunity for a political resolution concerning the Lebanese-Israeli border and to revive negotiations regarding the hostages in Gaza.

However, there is a cautionary note from U.S. sources regarding the substantial obstacles that stand in the way of such a complex diplomatic endeavor, emphasizing the challenges of actual implementation.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been active in discussions, having recently asked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to leverage his influence over Hezbollah.

French officials maintain that any diplomatic efforts should first concentrate on halting hostilities, given the challenges of incorporating Gaza into a broader agreement at this time. Biden and Macron were expected to engage in discussions on the issue shortly.

A European diplomat expressed that the success of the broader initiative relies heavily on Netanyahu’s agreement to a ceasefire in Gaza, quipping, “Good luck with that one, Joe.”