As negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip intensify, Iran has reportedly put its planned attack on Israel on hold. For over two weeks, tensions have been high in the Middle East due to the threat of Iranian and allied attacks on Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month. Fears arose that an Iranian-led attack and subsequent Israeli response could escalate into a full-scale war.
However, as significant progress has been made in ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar, Iran is said to be delaying any attacks to allow the negotiations to conclude. The mediators involved in the talks, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, expect a deal to be reached by the end of next week. This agreement would establish a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of hostages currently held captive.
In parallel, Israel has assessed that Iran and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah have lowered their alert levels within their rocket and missile units, suggesting an immediate attack on Israel is no longer imminent. This assessment follows Iran’s earlier statement that its reprisals for Haniyeh’s assassination would be timed to avoid jeopardizing the ongoing peace negotiations for Gaza.
Further bolstering the prospect of a ceasefire, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held talks with Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, urging him to refrain from any escalation at this critical juncture. Meanwhile, the mediators have presented a revised proposal to bridge the gaps between Israel and Hamas’ positions. They remain confident that a deal can be finalized based on this proposal within the next week.
This proposed agreement draws upon the framework outlined by US President Joe Biden in May, which aimed to end the Gaza conflict in three stages. The initial stage involves a six-week truce and the release of a specific group of hostages, followed by the implementation of longer-term solutions. While the current situation offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution, it is important to note that the path to lasting peace in the region remains fraught with challenges and requires continued diplomatic efforts.
