US President Joe Biden recently said he expects Iran to attack Israel “sooner rather than later” as fears deepen of Tehran’s retaliation over an air strike. Israel has not admitted attacking an Iranian consulate in Damascus but is majorly believed to be responsible.
Biden has a brief but stern warning for Iran: “Don’t”. Several analysts believe the regime is likely to launch an attack soon, increasing concerns over a regional conflict and highlighting the limits of US policy amid a brutal Israel-Hamas fighting.
The months-long Gaza crisis erupted on October 7 as Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israeli cities, killing some 1,200 people and taking several others hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have so far claimed more than 33,000 Palestinian lives.
Will Iran ‘punish’ Israel? Let’s find out
The ongoing Israel-Iran tensions have put further strain on US’s foreign policy. The country is currently caught between 2 seemingly conflicting priorities: providing unconditional support to Israel and preventing the Gaza fighting from expanding.
It remains to be seen if and when Iran launches the ‘punishment’, but such a situation could be a turning point in the Gaza conflict. Several countries have already issued recommendations for their citizens against travelling to the region.
Nonetheless, the Gaza crisis has already expanded beyond the enclave. Iran-allied Lebanese group Hezbollah has been regularly exchanging fire with Israeli forces. In addition, the Houthis in Yemen have been firing missiles and drones at Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea.
Best remedy to the simmering Middle East tensions?
The region is staring at the prospect of an much more expanded conflict. Joe Biden certainly does not want the US to be pulled into the deepening chaos, especially as he looks forward to reelection in November. But can his country actually disengage itself?
Several analysts believe the best remedy to the simmering tensions is finding a solution to the crisis in Gaza. They stress that a Gaza ceasefire can stop Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, ease Israel-Iran tensions and stop escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have also been meticulously responding to the evolving situation in the Middle East. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, the UAE has regularly been sending relief supplies to the territory to alleviate people’s suffering.
Explore Gulf states’ response to deepening Gaza crisis
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire to state the least. Reflecting the level of UAE-Egypt coordination to help the Palestinian people, operation ‘Birds of Goodness’ has already delivered more than 2,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza.
The Emirates’ focus on finding a peaceful and permanent solution to the crisis should also not be underestimated. In other notable GCC developments, Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan recently received a phone call from the US Secretary of State.
During the call, Blinken and His Highness discussed developments in the region and ways to reduce escalation. The also tackled files of shared interest, particularly the developments in Gaza and its surroundings. They also discussed the importance of more aid.
Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi made a call on Tuesday to Mohammad Mustafa, the recently appointed Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Palestine, conveying his wishes for further growth and prosperity of the relations between Oman and Palestine.
The Ministers exchanged congratulations on Eid al-Fitr and Badr reiterated his call for freedom, independence and development for the Palestinian people, as per Oman’s foreign ministry statement. On behalf of all Palestinians, the PM thanked Oman.
The State of Qatar, a major mediator in the ongoing Gaza crisis, has stressed its support for the request of Palestine to obtain full membership as a sovereign state in the UN, urging all member states to support this “legitimate and deserved” request.
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