US mediator Amos Hochstein at a press conference in Baabda on Oct. 27, 2022. (Credit: Lebanese Presidency)
BEIRUT — US mediator Amos Hochstein dodged a question from Al-Manar correspondent, who was going to ask about Israeli drones flying over Lebanon since this morning, during a press conference after Lebanese President Michel Aoun signed a copy of the maritime border agreement on the delimitation of the maritime border with Israel.
During the press conference, where Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab also made a statement, spokesperson of Baabda Palace Rafic Shleilah announced that Hochstein will only take two questions from journalists — Al-Manar's correspondent Hassan Hamzeh had been next up to ask the third question, of which Hochstein turned around and didn't answer.
Al-Manar is a Hezbollah-funded TV channel. Hezbollah is considered a terrorist organization by the US.
In a tweet, Hamzeh said that he is “happy” that Hochstein refused to take his question which “reinforces my position and my view of the falsehood of their image,” in a possible dig at the United States.
According to Hamzeh on Twitter, he wanted to ask Hochstein about the Israeli drones that were flying over Lebanon since Thursday morning, which could be heard by citizens around the capitol and the country.
All parties involved in the conclusion of the agreement between Lebanon and Israel mentioned a "historic" deal. After being signed by Aoun and approved by the Israeli cabinet, a copy of the text will be signed in Naqoura, in South Lebanon, but in separate rooms for each delegation.
A complicated protocol was set in place to ensure that the signing of the document, which was the product of long-winded negotiations, is not seen as paving the way for peace between the two neighbors. Despite these measures, Lapid claimed earlier Thursday that Lebanon de facto "recognizes" Israel due to the deal.