US envoy discusses Lebanon tensions in high-level Israeli meetings
US Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other top officials to discuss the volatile situation in Lebanon. The talks come as a fragile pause in Israeli airstrikes, timed with the Pope's visit, is set to expire.
US Special Envoy to Lebanon Morgan Ortagus has held a series of high-level meetings in Israel, discussing the escalating tensions along the Lebanese border with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. The diplomatic engagement occurs amid a fragile, three-day lull in Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah targets, a pause reportedly observed during Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon.
Israeli Focus on Hezbollah's Disarmament
Following his meeting with Ortagus, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on social media that they had a "good discussion on the situation in Lebanon." Saar emphasized Israel's position, asserting that Hezbollah—not Israel—was violating Lebanon's sovereignty and that disarming the group was "crucial for Lebanon's future and Israel's security." He reaffirmed the close US-Israel alliance, noting continued cooperation on the issue.
Anticipated Resumption of Hostilities
While details of the talks with Netanyahu and Katz were not disclosed, Israeli media reports suggest the temporary halt in airstrikes is likely to end following the Pope's departure from Lebanon on Tuesday evening. The pontiff concluded a three-day visit filled with calls for peace and an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The timing of Ortagus's mission underscores US efforts to manage the crisis diplomatically, even as military action appears imminent.
US Diplomatic Role in a Volatile Theater
Envoy Ortagus, who also serves as a senior adviser to the US mission to the UN, represents Washington's direct involvement in attempting to de-escalate the cross-border conflict that has threatened to ignite a broader regional war. The US has consistently supported Israel's right to self-defense against Hezbollah attacks while also advocating for diplomatic solutions to prevent a catastrophic escalation that would further destabilize Lebanon, a country already in profound political and economic crisis.
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