US, Australia urge de-escalation in the Middle East
The US and Australia’s top diplomats and defence officials have issued a statement underscoring the “urgent need to de-escalate tensions” in the Middle East, and calling for the release of captives held by Hamas as well as an “immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza”.
The statement – by the US’s Blinken, Austin, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles – said “terrorism, the large-scale loss of civilian lives, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are all unacceptable”.
It reiterated Washington and Canberra’s commitment to a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian state, and called for a diplomatic solution to the escalating conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Sinwar’s appointment highlights Iran, Hamas’s control: Israel’s FM
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has again taken to social media to slam Hamas’s appointment of Yahya Sinwar as its leader.
In a new post on X, Katz said Sinwar’s promotion sends “a clear message to the world that the Palestinian issue is now completely controlled by Iran and Hamas”.
The Israeli minister also claimed Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is justified because it is the only thing stopping Hamas from fully taking over. He also blamed Iran, a Hamas ally, for allegedly trying to smuggle weapons into Jordan and the occupied West Bank.
“Israel must maintain control over security and foreign affairs to prevent the establishment of another Iranian-Islamist extremist stronghold and enable Palestinians to manage their internal affairs,” said Katz.
The election of Yahya Sinwar as the leader of Hamas must send a clear message to the world that the Palestinian issue is now completely controlled by Iran and Hamas.
Without Israeli action in Gaza, the area would fall entirely under Hamas control. In Judea and Samaria, Abbas and… pic.twitter.com/MtHWswqBBq
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) August 7, 2024
Iran boosting air defences: Report
Iran is bolstering its air defences with more radar, missile and drone systems, reports the country’s official IRNA news agency.
The build-up comes as Iran, along with its regional allies, is expected to wage a major attack on Israel in retaliation for the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah figures abroad.
