Hochstein and McGurk’s meetings with top Israeli officials on Gaza and Lebanon were constructive, US official says

A US official tells The Times of Israel that US special envoy Amos Hochstein and White House Mideast czar Brett McGurk’s meetings today with top Israeli officials in Jerusalem were “substantive and constructive and focused on a number of issues in depth, including Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, and securing the release of hostages.”

Hochstein and McGurk met over the course of the day with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Shin Bet director Ronan Bar, Mossad director David Barnea and other senior Israeli officials.

“There was a particular focus on efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in Lebanon that allows people on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes as well as new initiatives to secure the release of hostages, which Hamas must do without delay,” the US official says, adding that Washington “will not negotiate either issue in public.”