Hochstein to discuss Lebanon border issues on Israel trip

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden's envoy to the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, arrived in Israel on Monday to discuss issues related to its northern border with Lebanon, including how to stop the Gaza conflict from spreading, a US official said.

"This trip builds on Hochstein's visit to Beirut earlier this month where he made clear the United States does not want to see conflict in Gaza escalating and expanding into Lebanon," the official said.

"While in Israel, Hochstein will emphasize that restoring calm along Israel's northern border is of utmost importance to the United States and it should be a top priority for both Israel and Lebanon."

Axios, an American news agency, reported there is concern within the Biden administration that Israel is trying to provoke Hezbollah, creating the pretext for a war involving Lebanon and drawing the US further into the conflict. Israeli officials have denied this.

Hochstein is expected to meet with Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Israeli army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, an Israeli official said.

Hochstein helped to finalize a maritime demarcation deal last year between Israel and Lebanon, bringing a measure of accommodation between the enemy states as they eyed offshore energy exploration.

In the months before the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants, Hochstein said the United States was exploring the possibility of resolving the longstanding border dispute between Lebanon and Israel.

However, tensions have escalated along the border since the war began. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has attacked Israeli troops at the Lebanese border and Israel has launched air and artillery strikes against southern Lebanon, in the deadliest violence since the two sides fought a war in 2006.