US on Hochstein visit: Reaching a resolution can only be done through diplomacy

The U.S. State Department on Sunday announced that reaching a solution in the sea border talks between Lebanon and Israel can only be reached through “negotiations and diplomacy,” shortly before the arrival of U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials.

“Following visits to Paris, Brussels, and Athens to discuss European energy security, Special Presidential Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Amos Hochstein will travel to Beirut July 31 to discuss sustainable solutions to Lebanon’s energy crisis, including the Biden Administration’s commitment to facilitating negotiations between Lebanon and Israel on the maritime boundary,” the State Dept. said in a statement.

“Reaching a resolution is both necessary and possible, but can only be done through negotiations and diplomacy,” it stressed.

Shortly after the U.S. statement, Hezbollah’s war media department released a video showing the coordinates of the gas platforms in the Israeli-operated offshore gas field Karish. The video also showed missiles and warned Israel that “wasting time is not beneficial.”