UN envoy Waltz vows to keep Hezbollah in check

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz visited Israel’s northern border with Lebanon on Tuesday, highlighting American efforts to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its terrorist capabilities.

“We are working hard to keep Hezbollah defeated through maximum pressure on Iran, reinforcing the Lebanese Armed Forces, and drawing down the U.N. mission so that Hezbollah can no longer use it as cover for their operations,” Waltz wrote on X following the visit.

On Wednesday, Waltz said he had visited the Kerem Shalom crossing at Israel’s southern border with Egypt “to see firsthand the primary processing point for international aid and commercial goods entering Gaza.”

“Since President Trump’s Peace Plan was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council, more than 600 trucks per day are now bringing food, shelter, and medicine into Gaza,” Waltz wrote on X.

Waltz concluded a trip to Israel and Jordan on Wednesday that began on Dec. 6—his first official visit to the Jewish state since taking up the post as U.S. envoy.

In Jerusalem, Waltz met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday. Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon participated in both meetings.

According to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Waltz and Netanyahu discussed the Gaza ceasefire, the release of the last hostage held by Hamas and the U.N. resolution advancing U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan. Waltz reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security and discussed the need to expand border crossings, including the Allenby–King Hussein Bridge, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Gil Reich, interim head of Israel’s National Security Council, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also attended the meeting, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

On Tuesday, Waltz met with the family of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage held by Hamas.

“This was a moving and very important meeting,” Danon said. “The takeaway is clear: Hamas must return Ran Gvili home now. We are working expeditiously to ensure his return and will not rest until he is brought back to Israel for a proper burial.”

Waltz added:

“President Trump has made it very clear: Hamas must live up to its commitments and release every single hostage. Period. Honored to spend time with the family of police sergeant Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza. Stay strong.”