Hochstein to visit Israel as Lebanon tensions soar, Gallant slams France's effort
Reacting to a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel will not take part in a trilateral comittee to de-escalate tensions with Hezbollah.
PARIS — Senior US adviser Amos Hochstein will travel to Israel on Monday as tension on the Lebanon border reaches highest level in 18 years with Hezbollah intensifying its rocket barrages and the Israeli military striking deeper against the group.
Hochstein will travel to Israel on Monday, Ynet reported and will discuss the continuing escalation in the region. The trip comes at the height of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah including Israeli strikes on Friday that hit the party's infrastructure. US officials have expressed concern over an all-out war between Israel and the Iran-backed group in Lebanon. The last full-blown conflict between the two sides was in 2006.
The United States and France have been key mediators to try and ease tensions between Lebanon and Israel. But Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant slammed France on Friday for what he called "blatantly ignoring the atrocities committed by Hamas" and said that Israel would not be a part of a trilateral committee to de-escalate the situation on the border with Lebanon.
‘"As we fight a just war, defending our people, France has adopted hostile policies against Israel. In doing so, France ignores the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli children, women and men," Gallant posted on X, adding, "Israel will not be a party to the trilateral framework proposed by France." Gallant posted his message in Hebrew, French and English.
