London – France, Germany and the United Kingdom expressed their support on Monday for the initiative of mediation leaders Egypt, Qatar and the United States regarding the immediate resumption of negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip with the aim of “preventing escalation and finding a path to stability” in the Middle East.
This came in a joint statement signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom welcomed the tripartite statement issued by the mediating parties (Egypt, Qatar and the United States), saying that “we agree that there can be no further delay in the Gaza truce negotiations.”
The joint statement added, “We are working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability in the Middle East.”
The statement stressed: “The fighting must end now, all hostages must be released, and aid must reach the Palestinian people in Gaza urgently and without restrictions.”
The three countries also expressed their deep concern over the growing tension in the region, and their shared commitment to de-escalation and regional stability.
She continued, saying: “In this context, and in particular, we call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity to agree on a ceasefire and release the hostages.”
The joint statement also held Iran responsible for actions that jeopardize the chance for peace and stability, saying, “No country or nation will benefit from further escalation in the Middle East.”
This came at a time when Israel is anticipating retaliatory responses from Iran and the Lebanese and Palestinian factions, Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, and the prominent leader in the party, Fouad Shukr, in Beirut the day before.
On August 8, a tripartite statement was issued by US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, calling for the resumption of truce negotiations next week, “not to waste time, and to begin implementing the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange without any delay by any party.”
They said that “as mediators, we are ready, if necessary, to put forward a final proposal to overcome the gaps and resolve the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.”
At the beginning of last June, Biden presented the terms of a deal offered to him by Israel “to stop the fighting and release all the kidnapped (Israeli prisoners in Gaza),” and the Palestinian factions movement accepted it at the time, according to Hebrew media.
But Netanyahu added new conditions that both Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Mossad chief David Barnea considered would hinder reaching a deal.
These conditions included preventing the return of what he called “Palestinian militants” from the south of the Gaza Strip to its north by inspecting returnees at the Netzarim axis, which the Israeli army established near Gaza City and separates the north of the Strip from its south, and the Israeli army remaining at the Philadelphi axis on the border between Gaza and Egypt, which it announced its control over on May 29.
Anatolia
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2024-08-13 10:53:40
