The joint statement comes as Israeli intelligence reports that Iran could attack Israel in the coming days, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
ADVERTISEMENTFrance, Germany and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East, calling on Iran and its allies to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the possibility of achieving a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.”
The statement comes after several days of growing tensions between Israel, Iran and Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah.
Iran and its proxies “will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability.”
The three countries also praised the “tireless work of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States towards a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages.”
They endorsed the joint statement by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and US President Biden calling for the immediate continuation of negotiations.
Ceasefire talks under threat
The statement comes as an Israeli intelligence assessment indicates that theIran could attack Israel in the coming days.
According to local sources, The attack could come before the resumption of ceasefire talks in Gaza on Thursday.which could jeopardize any progress in reaching an agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli intelligence believes that Lebanese Hezbollah is likely to attack first, followed by a direct attack from Iran.
The sources said the attacks could include launching missiles and drones at military targets, as well as near civilian population centers.
The United States also sent a guided-missile submarine to the region, signaling its intention to defend Israel against Iran and its allies in the event of an attack.
However, the report said the situation was “still fluid”, with Israeli intelligence believing Iran had not yet decided on the timing or nature of its response.
It also follows a statement by the Iranian mission to the UN that “we hope that our response will be timed and conducted in a way that does not undermine the eventual ceasefire.”
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after Hamas' top political leader, Ismail Haniyehwas killed in Iran and thatone of Hezbollah's top commanders was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut.
Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah have accused Israel of being behind the deaths and have vowed retaliation.
This situation has complicated the efforts of American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators to save the negotiations on the ceasefire and the agreement to release the hostages in the Gaza Strip.
Additional sources • adaptation: Serge Duchêne
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