Egypt strives to establish regional de-escalation, prevent all-out war: FM

CAIRO – 7 August 2024: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed Egypt's strenuous efforts and intensive communication with involved parties to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, contain regional escalation, and prevent an all-out war.

In a phone call with Ahmed Attaf, Algeria's foreign minister, on Tuesday, Abdelatty warned that such an all-out war would pose a threat to the security and stability of the entire region.

Over the past week, Egypt has been actively engaging with diplomats from Arab nations and other global partners, including Iran and the United States, to contain the escalating in the region amid growing Israeli-Iranian tensions.

Iranian retaliation on horizon

Israel is on alert for potential retaliatory actions from Iran following the Israeli forces’ assassination of prominent Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Late in July, Israeli forces killed Fuad Shukr, a prominent commander of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut, and Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in a strike in Tehran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged that Israel would face “severe punishment at the appropriate time, place, and manner” for Shukr's killing.

The IRGC stated that Hezbollah’s attacks are anticipated to extend beyond military sites.

It also mentioned that the strike against Shukr resulted in the deaths of five civilians, with the support of the United States.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation after Haniyah’s death, characterizing it as a "duty." Reports indicate that Khamenei has ordered a direct strike against Israel.

Both Hezbollah and Hamas have also pledged to avenge Haniyeh's killing, heightening fears of a potential regional conflict.

Bracing for attacks

Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others, have updated their travel advisories for Lebanon, urging their citizens to refrain from all travel to the country due to the deteriorating security situation.

Meanwhile, Haniyeh was assassinated in his residence in the Iranian capital shortly after participating in the inauguration of Pezeshkian.

The Israeli military has declared a state of high alert in anticipation of an Iranian counterattack on Israel, while the Pentagon has announced the deployment of additional warships and fighter jets to deter any potential assault.

Several major airlines, including United, Delta, and Lufthansa, have suspended flights to and from Israel due to concerns about the escalating security situation.

The growing tensions across the region come while the Israeli war in Gaza has continued for 10 months.

Israeli airstrikes across the strip, even in designated "safe zones," have killed 39,653 individuals and injured 91,535, according to Gaza's health ministry on Tuesday.

Additionally, Gaza has experienced extensive destruction of vital infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and essential facilities, heightening the region's susceptibility to an imminent famine.