Live updates: Israel is on ‘high level of alert’ for Iran’s response, source says

Two top White House officials have returned to Washington, DC, after a last-ditch pre-election effort to boost efforts to resolve conflicts in the Middle East, a US official told CNN on Friday.

Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk’s meetings on Thursday did not result in concrete solutions to any of the many issues, including Gaza and Lebanon. There was little expectation that this would happen, especially as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu awaits the outcome of the US elections.

Just hours after Hochstein and McGurk’s visit, Israeli forces unleashed a barrage of attacks that caused “massive destruction” in Beirut, according to the Lebanese state news agency.

The US official described it as “substantial” and “constructive” and noted that they “focused in depth on a number of issues, including Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and securing the release of hostages.”

“Particular attention was paid to efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, allowing people on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes, as well as to new initiatives to secure the release of hostages, which Hamas must do without delay. ,” the official said, adding that they “will not negotiate publicly on either issue.”

Hochstein and McGurk met Thursday with Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Shin Bet Bank Director Ronan Bar, Mossad Director David Barnea and other senior Israeli officials in Israel, the US official said.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “good progress” has been made in efforts to fully implement UN Security Council 1701 to end the conflict in Lebanon, but “we still have more work to do .”