U.S. Envoy Holds Talks in Israel Amid Rising Tensions with Lebanon

A senior U.S. envoy held high-level meetings in Jerusalem on Wednesday, focusing on preventing a full-scale war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Special Envoy for Regional Stability, met separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Katz. The discussions centered on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate cross-border fighting. The talks follow months of daily exchanges of fire along Israel's northern frontier. U.S. officials are pushing for a negotiated solution to move Hezbollah forces away from the border, as outlined in a U.N. resolution. Ortagus’s visit is part of a wider American diplomatic initiative. The goal is to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, which U.S. mediators believe is key to calming the separate conflict with Lebanon. Neither Israeli nor U.S. officials released immediate details on the outcome of the meetings. The discussions underscore Washington's urgent efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.