Prior to critical discussions in Doha aimed at securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza, there has been extensive diplomatic activity in the bustling Lebanese city of Beirut.
The US special presidential envoy, Amos Hochstein, arrived in Lebanon with the objective of preventing a regional conflict, cautioning against the escalating tensions that could potentially spiral “out of control”.
Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah have both vowed to retaliate for the twin attacks in Tehran and Beirut, attributing them to Israel.
While Israel has acknowledged its responsibility for the Beirut assault resulting in the death of a prominent Hezbollah commander, it has neither confirmed nor denied the assassination of Hamas’s chief negotiator, Ismail Haniyeh, during his visit to Iran.
“There is an urgent need to expedite the process, with no valid excuses for any party to cause further delays,” stated Mr. Hochstein, expressing his frustration about the urgency of reaching an agreement that would lead to the cessation of hostilities, the liberation of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
‘There is no more time to waste… and there’s no more valid excuses from any party for any further delay’
Mr. Hochstein expressed optimism in finding a diplomatic resolution, as he endeavored to convince the involved parties that the heightened hostilities on the Lebanon-Israel border should be separated from the Israeli-Hamas negotiations.
However, this separation appears unlikely as Hezbollah in Lebanon maintains it initiated attacks on Israel on 8 October in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, pledging to cease only upon a ceasefire agreed upon by Hamas.
Despite their interest in reaching an agreement, Dr. Ahmed Abul Hadi, the Hamas representative in Lebanon, told Sky News that they have opted out of participating in the negotiations.
He further remarked: “[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his Government continue to impose new conditions. Netanyahu does not seem inclined towards reaching a consensus.”
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Hamas won’t attend ceasefire talks
Israeli Government spokesman David Mencer refuted these claims. “It is Hamas that continues to impose additional conditions and has declined to reach a consensus,”he stated.
During a series of gatherings in the city center, the American representative was informed that senior politicians simply do not trust the Israeli claims.
As the United States, United Kingdom, and other nations have labeled Hezbollah a terrorist organization, Mr. Hockstein met with go-betweens who can relay messages to the Iran-aligned faction.
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One of his initial meetings was with Nabih Berri, the Lebanese Speaker of the Parliament who has frequently served as a go-between for Western Governments and Hezbollah.
However, the statement he issued to journalists later seemed to suggest that the meeting had not gone smoothly.
“The strategy of transnational murders and daily mass killings in Gaza and Lebanon show Israel’s resolve to prolong military escalation and obstruct any attempt to halt the conflict,” Mr. Berri remarked.
To the American envoy, he conveyed his “serious concern” regarding what he characterized as the “escalating actions” taken by Israel at political and military levels, “be it in Tehran or Beirut, in addition to the daily Israeli massacres carried out against children and civilians in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.”
While the diplomatic shuttling was in progress, the Israeli assaults persisted in Gaza as the countdown to the ceasefire discussions continued.
“These are youngsters,” cried out a man in tears as he assisted in carrying a small bundle from the back of a vehicle into a crowded makeshift emergency ward.
Inside, amidst the frenzied scene of injuries and mourning, one severely injured child lay heavily bandaged next to a motionless toddler.
An adult was gently securing her hands together to prepare for her wrapping in a shroud. Another bloodied girl sat by herself nearby; arms outstretched towards the adults standing around her.
This is the persistent scenery for the discussions in Doha. Slaughter, demise, hopelessness, and desperation.
It has been ongoing for ten months now. And within this sustained Israeli bombing and conflict, more than 111 captives are being held somewhere in Gaza.
The site of an Israeli strike on a house in the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza.
Pic: Reuters
The British, American, and German envoys in Israel united in a call for their release ahead of the discussions in Doha.
“There must be no further postponement… now is the moment for an agreement that ensures the immediate release of the captives and a truce in Gaza,” stated the UK’s Simon Walters.
Currently, the prospects for a settlement seem bleak – however, there are aspirations and the US representative emphasizes the importance of seizing this “opportunity for diplomatic measures”.
