A truce in Gaza may prevent Iran from invading Israel: Biden

During a press conference on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden expressed his belief that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza has the potential to discourage Iran from launching any retaliatory attacks on Israel. The recent killing of a Hamas leader has significantly heightened tensions in the region.

He made the following remarks in response to Western demands that Iran rescind its threat of reprisals.

Israel has been accused by the Islamic Republic and its allies of being responsible for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh on July 31. Haniyeh was visiting Tehran for the swearing-in of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel has yet to provide a comment.

Iran has pledged to seek retribution for the killing, which occurred shortly after an Israeli attack in Beirut claimed the life of a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, a prominent militant group supported by Iran in Lebanon.

When questioned about the potential for a truce between Israel and Hamas to prevent an Iranian assault, Biden expressed his expectation that it would indeed be the case.

During a press conference in New Orleans, he expressed that despite facing challenges in the negotiations, he remains determined and committed to not backing down.

To avert a potential catastrophe in the Middle East, diplomats from Western nations have been working tirelessly. The region was already on edge as a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

"The current state of affairs, ten months into the war, has heightened concerns of potential regional escalation," stated Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations undersecretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs.

The speaker urged all parties to cease any further provocative language or behavior.

The United States and its European allies stated on Monday that they were calling Iran to de-escalate the situation.

According to the White House, there is a potential for a series of attacks by Iran and its allies in the upcoming week. Israel also holds the same assessment, as stated by the White House.

In a show of support for Israel, the United States has dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group and a guided missile submarine to the region.

Washington has given its approval for a significant weapons deal with Israel totaling over $20 billion. The agreement includes the sale of F-15 fighter jets and a staggering 33,000 tank cartridges.

The Western call for restraint was met with criticism by Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani.

In a statement, he expressed his strong disapproval of the recent declaration made by France, Germany, and Britain. He criticized these countries for not objecting to the international crimes committed by the Zionist regime. He further accused them of audaciously urging Iran to refrain from taking any action to deter a government that has violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Far-right minister opposes talks



The United States and its European allies have joined forces to advocate for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. They have announced that truce talks will resume on Thursday.

The conflict in Gaza started when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7. This attack led to the tragic deaths of 1,198 individuals, with the majority being civilians, as reported by Israeli officials and confirmed by AFP.

According to reports, a group of militants has taken control of 251 individuals, with 111 of them still being held captive in Gaza. Tragically, the military has confirmed that 39 of these individuals have lost their lives.

The military offensive carried out by Israel in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 39,929 people reported dead, according to the territory's health ministry. However, it is essential to note that the ministry has not provided a detailed breakdown of the casualties, distinguishing between civilians and militants.

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, there is a clear divide within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition. The far-right parties within the alliance are vehemently against any potential ceasefire. This stance was emphasized by the fiery National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, during his visit to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a focal point of tension.

Jordan, the custodian of Al-Aqsa, and world powers such as the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations swiftly condemned the visit.

In a bold move that challenges the established regulations permitting Jews and other non-Muslims to enter the compound for visits but not for prayer, Ben Gvir took the lead as thousands of Israelis joined in singing Jewish hymns and engaging in Talmudic rituals.

During a video captured within the compound, Ben Gvir expressed his steadfast opposition to any cessation of the Gaza war.

The minister stated, "We must secure a victory and avoid participating in the upcoming truce discussions scheduled for Thursday."

Despite the circumstances, Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the US State Department, expressed optimism about the progress of the talks.

According to Patel, Israel's participation in the event has been confirmed by Netanyahu. Patel also mentioned that their Qatari partners are actively working to ensure that Hamas is represented as well.

Hamas is calling on mediators to immediately implement Biden's truce plan rather than engage in further negotiations.

Infant rescued from the debris

Even after over ten months of intense conflict in Gaza, Hamas has managed to launch rockets into Israel sporadically.

In a recent development, militants claimed responsibility for launching two rockets at Tel Aviv, marking their first attack on the city in several months.

According to the Israeli army, one rocket from Gaza landed in the sea, while another was detected but did not enter Israeli territory.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his concern to Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas regarding the civilian casualties in Gaza.

According to images shown on Russian state television, Putin has called for a ceasefire and the establishment of a fully-fledged Palestinian state.

According to a medic from Nasser Hospital who spoke on condition of anonymity, a tragic incident occurred in Abassan, in the southern district of Khan Yunis, during the recent Gaza violence. An Israeli strike resulted in the loss of two parents and eight children.

According to the source, the only member of the Abu Haya family who survived was a three-month-old girl named Rim.

A young child emerged from the debris and was rescued from the wreckage. Tragically, her entire family has passed away. Concerns arise over who will assume responsibility for her well-being. Ibrahim Barbakh, a resident of Khan Yunis, enquired while cradling the baby.