US Envoy Amos Hochstein Mediates Amidst Rising Tensions in Israel
Amidst escalations and ongoing conflicts in the region, Amos Hochstein, the special envoy of US President Joe Biden, has arrived in Israel once again. Hochstein, well-acquainted with the region, will attempt to de-escalate the ongoing war with Hezbollah. His efforts began Monday with meetings involving key Israeli state officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hochstein, aged 51, boasts a rich experience in diplomatic mediation, particularly in the Middle East. He mediated the maritime border dispute between Israel and Lebanon, culminating in an agreement signed in October 2022. Hochstein’s involvement in the region is deep-rooted, having served initially in the Obama administration and later being appointed by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in 2021 as a senior adviser on energy security.
Notably, his role extends back to key diplomatic missions including the mediation of gas area divisions in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey, and Cyprus and Turkey. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in the 2014 gas sale deal between Israel and Jordan.
In light of recent developments, the Israeli army has implemented a humanitarian ‘tactical pause’ in the Gaza Strip. This pause is observed daily from 08:00 to 19:00 (05:00 to 16:00 GMT) to facilitate the influx of humanitarian aid. The decision follows discussions with the UN and other organizations, aiming to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis. Given the continued hostilities, the prospects for a ceasefire remain uncertain due to stringent demands from Hamas.
Tensions have led to casualties, with the Israeli army announcing the death of eight soldiers in the Gaza Strip over the past Saturday. The UN warns of famine in Gaza, home to around 2.4 million residents, 75% of whom are displaced due to war. WHO reports indicate alarming malnutrition cases, with over 8,000 children under the age of five receiving treatment for acute malnutrition.
- Hochstein’s diplomatic career commenced in 2011 during the Obama administration. He served in various capacities, eventually becoming the chief energy diplomat under then-Secretary of State John Kerry and later, undersecretary of state for energy affairs.
- A modern-Orthodox Jew, Hochstein was born in Israel, enlisted in the IDF, and later transitioned to the US. Fluent in Hebrew, he is married with four children and resides in Washington.
- The decision for the ‘tactical pause’ stems largely from collaborative discussions with the UN aiming to provide much-needed aid amidst the ongoing hostilities. Despite these efforts, diplomatic hopes for a ceasefire are dim, reflecting the complexity and volatility of the current geopolitical scenario.
