Five Western powers on Monday called for de-escalation in the Middle East while also voicing support for Israel against possible Iranian retaliation.
On Monday, five Western powers called for reduced tensions in the Middle East and expressed support for Israel against potential Iranian retaliation. The US, UK, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement urging a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, while backing President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt, and Amir Tamim of Qatar’s call for renewed negotiations. They emphasized the urgent need for progress and called for unrestricted aid to Gaza.
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The statement also voiced support for Israel’s defense against Iranian aggression and attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups. It urged Iran to halt its threats of military action against Israel, warning that such actions could destabilize the region.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of killing Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month and have vowed retaliation, though Israel has not confirmed its involvement. Hezbollah in Lebanon is also expected to respond after Israel killed senior commander Fuad Shukr in a July airstrike on Beirut.
The recent violence has heightened regional tensions, with nearly 40,000 Palestinians reported killed in the ongoing war, adding to fears of a broader conflict amid Israel’s assault on Gaza.
In a joint statement, the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy “expressed our full support for ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.”
It added: “We endorsed the joint call from President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt, and Amir Tamim of Qatar to renew talks later this week with an aim to concluding the deal as soon as possible, and stressed there is no further time to lose.”
On Monday, five Western powers called for reduced tensions in the Middle East and expressed support for Israel against potential Iranian retaliation. The US, UK, France, Germany, and Italy issued a joint statement urging a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, while backing President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt, and Amir Tamim of Qatar’s call for renewed negotiations. They emphasized the urgent need for progress and called for unrestricted aid to Gaza.
The statement also voiced support for Israel’s defense against Iranian aggression and attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups. It urged Iran to halt its threats of military action against Israel, warning that such actions could destabilize the region.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of killing Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month and have vowed retaliation, though Israel has not confirmed its involvement. Hezbollah in Lebanon is also expected to respond after Israel killed senior commander Fuad Shukr in a July airstrike on Beirut.
The recent violence has heightened regional tensions, with nearly 40,000 Palestinians reported killed in the ongoing war, adding to fears of a broader conflict amid Israel’s assault on Gaza.
“We expressed our support for the defense of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups,” the statement also said.
They urged Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel, warning that such an attack would have serious consequences for regional stability.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out last month’s assassination in Tehran of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and vowed retaliation. Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.
Lebanese Hezbollah is also expected to retaliate after Israel assassinated senior commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on July 30.
Shukr was killed one day before Haniyeh, setting the region on edge for a potentially wider war amid Israel’s ongoing assault on the besieged Gaza Strip. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed during the 10-month-old war.
