- Intermediaries call for Gaza agreement - US warns Iran
In light of growing concerns about a regional conflagration in the Middle East, mediators have pressed Israel and the Islamist Hamas to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict with urgent language. Both sides have been urged to resume talks on August 15 in Doha or Cairo to "close all remaining gaps and begin implementing the agreement without further delay," according to a joint statement signed by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and US President Joe Biden.
This statement comes at a critical juncture, as Iran and its allies like Hamas have threatened retaliatory strikes against Israel following the killing of two top Hamas leaders and a senior figure in the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. The US, Israel's key ally, has warned Iran that its newly elected government and economy could face a devastating blow if a major attack is launched against Israel, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a US official. The warning was conveyed to Tehran both directly and through intermediaries.
Report: US warns Iran
"The United States has made it clear to Iran that the risk of a larger escalation in the event of a significant retaliatory attack against Israel is extremely high," the statement said, without providing details. Israel's security cabinet met in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening to discuss the tense situation. "There is absolutely no legitimate basis for Iran to launch a military attack against Israel, which it continues to threaten," a senior US official in Washington said. The United States is prepared for all eventualities.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reassured his Israeli counterpart Joav Galant by phone of US support and mentioned the deployment of additional military forces to the region, including F-22 Raptor fighter jets. These are among many measures to deter, defend Israel, and protect American forces in the region, Austin wrote on the X platform after the call. He also stressed the importance of reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that would lead to the release of hostages.
US official on Gaza deal: No time to waste
While the mediators' statement is not directly related to Iran and its threats, a US official said that if Iran attacks, there will be no prospect of a Gaza ceasefire as other matters would take precedence. The deal will not be ready for signing next Thursday, the official said. "There's still a lot to do. But we believe what's left here can really be bridged, and we really don't have time to waste."
It is high time to provide immediate relief to both the suffering population in Gaza and the hostages and their families, the mediators' statement reads. For many months, we have tirelessly worked to forge a framework agreement that is now on the table and only requires the details of its implementation to be clarified, the statement continues. There is no more time to lose and no more excuses for further delays. We are ready, if necessary, to propose a final bridging suggestion that solves the remaining questions of implementation in a way that meets the expectations of all parties.
Israel to Send Delegation to Gaza Talks
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced after the publication of the statement that Israel will send a delegation, according to the proposal of the USA and the mediators, on August 15 to a yet-to-be-determined location to finalize the details of the implementation of the framework agreement. The forum of relatives of the hostages thanked the three mediators and, according to the "Times of Israel," appealed to Netanyahu and his government to show leadership and conclude an agreement for the return of all hostages. Hamas is still holding 115 hostages in Gaza, but many may no longer be alive.
Israeli Defense Minister Warns Lebanon
Previously, Israeli Defense Minister Galant issued an unusual message directly to the population of the northern neighboring country, Lebanon, in the face of the conflict with the Iran-linked Hezbollah. "If Hezbollah continues its aggression, Israel will fight it with all its might," Galant warned in Arabic on the X platform. Israel seeks peace, prosperity, and stability on both sides of the northern border. Therefore, we will not allow Hezbollah to destabilize the border and the region," the minister explained and quoted, according to his office, an Arabic proverb: "He who plays with fire will get burned."
EU's Top Diplomat Condemns Israel's Action Against Diplomats
Meanwhile, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, sharply criticized Israel's action against eight Norwegian representatives. That the Israeli government has revoked their diplomatic status contradicts agreements reached with Oslo to resolve the Middle East conflict and disrupts relations and cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, Borrell said in Brussels. He condemned this unfounded decision in the strongest terms. This position was conveyed to the Israeli government through the head of the EU delegation in Tel Aviv.
"This is not a bilateral issue between Israel and Norway, but one of interest to all who advocate for peace and stability in the Middle East," he stated. The Israeli Foreign Ministry had previously announced that Foreign Minister Israel Katz had informed Norway that he was revoking the diplomatic status of Norwegian representatives in Israel responsible for the Palestinian territories. The reason given was "a series of anti-Israeli and one-sided steps by the Norwegian government." In May, Norway, along with Spain and Ireland, decided to recognize a Palestinian state.
The European Union, being a significant global player, could express its concerns about the escalating tension in the Middle East and urge both Israel and Iran to de-escalate the situation. For instance, "Given the European Union's commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, it could strongly urge both Israel and Iran to engage in diplomatic dialogue to avoid further escalation."
Furthermore, the European Union, as a key ally to several nations in the region, could offer its mediation services to facilitate a peaceful resolution. For example, "Given its experience in conflict resolution, the European Union could offer to mediate talks between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies to promote a peaceful resolution and prevent a larger conflagration in the Middle East."
