Russia, China Push for De-escalation in Middle East Tensions

Students walking in front of an anti-United States mural in the heart of the capital, Tehran (AFP)
Students walking in front of an anti-United States mural in the heart of the capital, Tehran (AFP)
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Russia, China Push for De-escalation in Middle East Tensions

Students walking in front of an anti-United States mural in the heart of the capital, Tehran (AFP)
Students walking in front of an anti-United States mural in the heart of the capital, Tehran (AFP)

Tensions are rising in the Middle East, with Russia urging measures to calm the situation and China warning against a “cycle of retaliation.”

In response to a drone attack in Jordan, the US vowed to defend its forces, despite stating it doesn’t seek war with Iran.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday vowed the US would take “all necessary actions” to defend its troops after a deadly drone attack in Jordan by Iran-backed militants, even as President Joe Biden’s administration stressed it was not seeking a war with Iran.

the Kremlin, asked on Tuesday about potential US strikes on Iranian interests, said tensions in the Middle East were high and that steps were needed to de-escalate rather than destabilize the wider region.

“We do not welcome any actions that lead to destabilization in the region and increase tensions, especially against the backdrop of the excessive potential for conflict,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“We will not welcome the continuation of such actions, regardless of who they come from. The level of tension is high now and we need to take steps to de-escalate. This is what will prevent the conflict from spreading.”

Russia’s special representative to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, informed TASS that Moscow and Washington are currently not engaged in any dialogue regarding Syria.

Meanwhile, China on Tuesday warned against a “cycle of retaliation” in the Middle East after the US vowed to respond to the drone attack.

Beijing said it had “noted reports of casualties caused by the attack on a US military base.”

“We have also noted that Iran stated that it had nothing to do with the attack,” foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

“We hope that all relevant parties will remain calm and restrained... in order to avoid falling into a vicious cycle of retaliation and prevent further escalation of regional tension,” he added.

“The situation in the Middle East is currently highly complex and sensitive,” Wang said.

London Calls for De-escalation

UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps urged Iran to use its influence on militias, including the Houthi rebels in Yemen, to de-escalate tensions in the region.

In a post on “X,” Shapps affirmed that London and Washington are in continued collaboration to enhance stability in the Middle East.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also strongly condemned drone attacks linked to Iran-affiliated groups.

Sunak expressed concern and pledged to urge Iran to seek de-escalation in the region, emphasizing strong support for allies in achieving stability and peace.

It’s worth noting that in response to recent attacks in Syria and Iraq, Washington conducted a series of strikes in Iraq targeting Iran-backed groups.

Protest and Political Resolution Call

In Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly protested London’s accusations by summoning the British ambassador.

The ministry did not specify the reason for the protest.

During the meeting, an Iranian official rejected the baseless accusations by British authorities, condemning their sabotage activities, as reported by IRNA.

This comes after London and Washington imposed sanctions on an Iranian network, accusing it of ties to the Tehran government and targeting dissident journalists.

The Iranian official informed the British ambassador that such sanctions are “illegitimate.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s remarks about “Iran's role in the region,” calling them baseless and akin to bitter humor.

Iran asserted that it adheres to a consistent policy of enhancing relations with neighbors while opposing foreign interference.

On his part, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for an Iranian role in supporting the resistance amid the complexities of the upcoming US presidential elections.

While avoiding direct comments on the killing of US soldiers, Zarif mentioned ongoing diplomatic efforts for a political solution in Gaza and its regional consequences.

“The possibility that Biden will order direct attacks on Iranian targets cannot be ignored,” political analyst Ahmad Zeidabadi wrote in the Ham-Mihan newspaper.

But he said any US attacks would more likely target “the bases of Iranian forces in other countries.”

The reformist Etemaad Daily newspaper also said it was “possible” the Biden administration — under political pressure from the Republicans — “will target limited but strategic targets inside Iran.”

“This scenario may spell the end of diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington,” it said.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tuesday the solution to the crisis must be “political” and wrote on X that “diplomacy is active in this direction.”



Hurdles Remain as Israel and Hamas Once Again Inch toward a Ceasefire Deal

 A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up amid destroyed buildings in the Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up amid destroyed buildings in the Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP)
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Hurdles Remain as Israel and Hamas Once Again Inch toward a Ceasefire Deal

 A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up amid destroyed buildings in the Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up amid destroyed buildings in the Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP)

Israel and Hamas once again appear to be inching toward a ceasefire that could wind down the 15-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of Israelis held hostage there.

Both Israel and Hamas are under pressure from outgoing US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to reach a deal before the Jan. 20 inauguration. But the sides have come close before, only to have talks collapse over various disagreements.

The latest round of negotiations has bogged down over the names of hostages to be released in a first phase, according to Israeli, Egyptian and Hamas officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing ongoing negotiations.

Israel wants assurances that the hostages are alive, while Hamas says that after months of heavy fighting, it isn't sure who is alive or dead.

Other hurdles remain.

The first phase, expected to last for six to eight weeks, would also include a halt in fighting, a release of Palestinian prisoners and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the officials. The last phase would include the release of any remaining hostages, an end to the war, and talks on reconstruction and who will govern Gaza going forward.

“If we don’t get it across the finish line in the next two weeks, I’m confident that it will get to completion at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Seoul on Monday.

Here’s a closer look at the key issues holding up a deal:

The release of hostages from Gaza

During its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, Hamas and other groups killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages into Gaza. A truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued or their remains have been recovered over the past year.

Israel says about 100 hostages remain in Gaza — at least a third of whom it believes were killed during the Oct. 7 attack or died in captivity.

The first batch of hostages to be released is expected to be made up mostly of women, older people and people with medical conditions, according to the Israeli, Egyptian and Hamas officials.

On Monday, Hamas released a list of 34 names of hostages it said were slated for release. An Egyptian official confirmed the list had been the focus of recent discussions.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the names were from a list Israel had submitted months ago. “As of now, Israel has not received any confirmation or comment by Hamas regarding the status of the hostages appearing on the list,” it said.

An Israeli official said the current impasse was due to Hamas' refusal to provide information on the conditions of the hostages, while another official said the departure of the head of the Mossad intelligence agency for negotiations in Qatar was on hold.

A Hamas official, meanwhile, said that “no one knows” the conditions of all of the hostages. Hamas officials have said that due to the war, they cannot provide a full accounting until there is a truce.

Since the war began, over 45,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, who say women and children make up more than half of those killed. They do not say how many of the dead were fighters.

Pausing the war or ending it?

Families of hostages reacted angrily to reports of the phased approach, saying the government should instead be pursuing a deal that releases all the captives at once. They say time is running out to bring people home safely.

“This morning, I and everyone in Israel woke up and discovered that the state of Israel has put together a Schindler's List — 34 people who will be able to hug their families again, and 66 others whose fate will be sealed,” said Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod, an Israeli soldier held hostage, did not appear on the published list.

Netanyahu has said he supports a partial deal that pauses the war, but he has rejected Hamas' demands for a full Israeli withdrawal that would end the war. Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting until he achieves “total victory” — including the destruction of Hamas' military capabilities.

Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hamas. But the group continues to stage attacks in Gaza and to fire rockets into Israel. That could portend an open-ended war that could drag on for months or years.

The Hostages Forum, a grassroots group representing many hostage families, said it was time for a comprehensive deal.

“We know more than half are still alive and need immediate rehabilitation, while those who were murdered must be returned for proper burial,” it said. “We have no more time to waste. A hostage ceasefire agreement must be sealed now!”

The release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel

As part of the deal, Israel is expected to free hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians, including dozens who were convicted in bloody attacks.

Israel has a history of large-scale prisoner releases, and hundreds were freed in the November 2023 deal. But the sides have disagreed over the exact number and names of the prisoners to be freed. Hamas wants high-profile prisoners included. Israeli officials have ruled out the release of Marwan Barghouti, who tops Hamas' wish list.

Netanyahu's governing coalition includes hardliners who oppose such releases, with some even pledging to quit the government if too many concessions are made. They point to a 2011 prisoner release that included the former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks who was killed by Israel in October.

The war has displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, according to UN estimates, with the hard-hit northern sector of the territory largely emptied of its prewar population.

During the first phase of the developing deal, Israel is expected to withdraw troops from Palestinian population centers and allow some of the displaced to return home. But the extent of the pullback and the number of people allowed to return must still be worked out, the officials say.