This article was originally published in English
The joint statement comes as Israeli intelligence reports that Iran could attack Israel within days, in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
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France, Germany and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement on the situation in Middle Eastcalling on Iran and its allies to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and undermine the opportunity to agree on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.”
The declaration arrives after days of Growing tensions between Israel, Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah supported by Iran.
Iran and its proxies “will take responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability,” the text reads.
The three nations also welcomed the “tireless work of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States to reach an agreement on the ceasefire and the release of the hostages.”
They endorsed the joint statement by Qatari Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Egyptian President Al-Sisi and US President Biden calling for theimmediate continuation of negotiations.
Gaza Ceasefire Talks at Risk
The statement comes after an assessment by Israeli intelligence services that Iran could attack Israel within a few days.
According to local sources, the potential attack could come before ceasefire talks resume in Gaza on Thursday, potentially jeopardising progress made towards an agreement. between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli intelligence community believes it is likely that Lebanese Hezbollah will strike first, followed by a direct attack by Iran. Sources said the strikes could include missile and drone launches against military targets and in the vicinity of civilian population centers.
The United States also sent a guided-missile submarine to the region, signaling its intention to defend Israel from Iran and its allies in the event of an attack.
However, the report states that the situation is “still fluid” and Israeli intelligence believes that Iran has not yet decided on the timing or nature of its response.
The report also follows a statement from the Iranian mission to the United Nations that said: “We hope that our response will be timely and conducted in a manner that does not undermine the potential ceasefire.”
Tensions in the Middle East have increased after the Hamas’s top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Iran and one of Hezbollah’s top commanders died in an Israeli attack in Beirut.
Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah blamed Israel for the deaths and promised retaliation.
This has complicated efforts by American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators to salvage negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip.