European leaders call for restraint as Middle East simmers
Al Jazeera
Three European countries warn against escalation and urge a ceasefire in Gaza.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom have called on Iran and its allies to refrain from anticipated attacks on Israel in retaliation for the recent killings of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah.
The leaders of the three European states issued a joint statement on Monday calling for “de-escalation and regional stability” in the Middle East and an urgent ceasefire.
Global concern that the war in Gaza will escalate into an all-out regional conflict multiplied after the assassinations of the two Iran-aligned figures last month.
Despite the increasingly urgent calls for restraint, both sides continue to issue threats as Israel’s bombardment of Gaza persists. Meanwhile, low-level hostilities across the Israel-Lebanon border continue.
“We call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages,” read the statement, which was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
