Gaza ceasefire deal could deter Iran attack: Joe Biden
Ahead of a critical ceasefire summit this week, Joe Biden says it’s his ‘expectation’ that a truce between Hamas and Israel could stave off a strike.
US President Joe Biden has said a ceasefire deal in Gaza could deter Iran from attacking Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Amid reports Iran might delay its strike until after a critical ceasefire summit on August 15, Mr Biden was asked by reporters in New Orleans if a truce between Israel and Hamas could stave off a strike, Mr Biden said: “That’s my expectation”.
He told reporters in New Orleans that while negotiations were “getting hard” he was “not giving up”.
Israeli media reports that if the talks are successful, Tehran could refrain from a direct strike on Israel.
The Times of Israel reports that Iran and Hezbollah would launch a direct attack if the talks for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas fail or it perceives Israel is dragging out negotiations.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly postponed his trip to the Middle East as Washington and Jerusalem warn Iran could attack Israel this week.
Mr Blinken delayed his departure, planned for Tuesday local time over “uncertainty about the situation,” the news website Axios reports.
Western diplomats have scrambled to prevent a major conflagration in the Middle East, where tensions were already high due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
“Ten months since the start of the war, the threat of further regional escalation is more palpable, and chilling, than ever,” said Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations undersecretary general for political and peacebuilding affairs.
She called on all parties to “end all escalatory rhetoric and actions”. In a statement on Monday, the United States and its European allies urged Iran to de-escalate.
Washington says it remains hopeful that Israel and Hamas will resume ceasefire negotiations this week, with Qatar reportedly assuring Jerusalem the militant group will be represented at the talks.
President Joe Biden and the leaders of Egypt and Qatar last week made an unusual joint public call on Israel and Hamas to convene negotiations starting Thursday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already confirmed Israel’s participation and “our Qatari partners have assured us that they are working to ensure that there is Hamas representation as well,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.
“So, we’ll let this process play out, but we fully expect these talks to move forward, as they should,” Mr Patel told reporters.
Mr Patel said a ceasefire would allow the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid and new diplomacy “to get the region out of this endless cycle of violence.”
Mr Biden has more US forces to the region including a guided missile submarine, but also privately chastised Mr Netanyahu for the timing of the assassination.
The New York Times, quoting negotiating documents, reports that Israel has also hardened some positions, including insisting on maintaining control of the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Mr Patel declined comment on Israeli negotiating positions but said that Israeli officials have told the United States that “they’ll be prepared to finalise the details for implementing the deal.”
With AFP
Mankind says ‘merci, Berci’ to a true medical pioneer
Melbourne University had Frank Macfarlane Burnet, Gustav Nossal and David Penington – but humble George Berci changed many more lives.
Israel unleashes on Hezbollah
Hezbollah is reeling after Israel launched mass air strikes against the Lebanese terrorist group just days after thousands of its fighters were disabled by Mossad’s exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.