British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has joined French and German leaders in calling for “de-escalation and regional stability” within the Middle East.
In a joint assertion with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz launched Monday, Starmer urged Iran and its allies to not “jeopardize the opportunity to agree to a cease-fire and the release of hostages” in Gaza.
Starmer spoke with Middle Eastern leaders final week, together with a name with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and a gathering at Downing Street with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman.
The European assertion adopted an identical message from President Joe Biden, el-Sissi and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, who endorsed a three-phase framework demanding that Israel withdraw its troops from Gaza, that Hamas return hostages and that humanitarian help be distributed safely and successfully.
“We, the leaders of France, Germany, and the U.K. welcome the tireless work of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. toward an agreement on a cease-fire and the release of hostages,” Starmer, Macron and Scholz wrote.
“We agree that there can be no further delay. We have been working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability. The fighting must end now, and all hostages still detained by Hamas must be released. The people of Gaza need urgent and unfettered delivery and distribution of aid. We are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region and united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability.”
“In this context, we specifically call on Iran and its allies to refrain from actions that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity to agree on a cease-fire and the release of hostages. They will bear responsibility for any actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability. No country or nation stands to gain from further escalation in the Middle East.”
The U.S., Egyptian and Qatari leaders acknowledged Thursday: “There is no further time to waste nor any excuse from any party for further delay.”
They urged “both sides” within the Gaza battle to hitch talks in Cairo or Doha on Aug. 15, including: “As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.”
On Oct. 7 final yr, Hamas breached defenses in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 folks and taking 251 hostages, based on Israel.
Israel’s genocidal response has to date resulted within the Palestinian demise toll in Gaza approaching 40,000, largely girls and kids being killed.
Iran-backed Hezbollah based mostly in Lebanon has traded rocket hearth with Israel in latest weeks and Israeli forces assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on the finish of July.
At least 93 folks died Saturday when an Israeli airstrike hit a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City, based on Palestinian well being authorities.
Israel claimed it had focused a Hamas command heart on the web site, however Hamas denied having a base there.
Source: www.dailysabah.com