Weeks of behind-the-scenes talks involving Iran have played a key role in preventing a bigger conflict between Israel and “Hezbollah”, despite scenes of hundreds of rockets and drones over Israel and Lebanon, writes the Egyptian newspaper "National", referring to Arab and Western diplomats, writes BTA.
Sources in Cairo, Beirut and other regional capitals have told the Emirati publication that Arab mediators in the Gaza ceasefire talks have stepped up their contacts with Iran. The assassination of the political leader of the Palestinian movement “Hamas” Ismail Haniya led to intense communication, which led to the proposal that the retaliation be minimal in exchange for more influence on the terms of the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
“Egyptian and Qatari diplomacy played a decisive role,” said a source in Beirut. According to him, although not in writing, an agreement was reached on political issues, outside of the military aspect, in order to avoid catastrophic developments in the region and “revenge” of “Hezbollah” has been tailored accordingly.
At the end of last month, the senior military commander of “Hezbollah” Fouad Shukr was killed in an Israeli attack in a southern suburb of Beirut, considered a “fortress” of the grouping. Hours later, the leader of “Hamas” Ismail Haniya was liquidated in Tehran.
Israel, Iran and “Hamas” were quick to say they did not want a full-scale war, but the threats of retaliation against Israel suggested a more serious blow, especially against the background of fruitless efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza, notes the “National”.
The mediating role of Egypt, Qatar and the US, which managed to make several rounds of talks possible, has intensified since the latest killings, including phone calls between Egyptian, Qatari, Jordanian, Lebanese, Turkish and Iranian representatives.
“Since when did the Egyptians contact the Iranians directly on issues related to the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip? This almost never happens. But it happened this time, despite the differences between the two countries,” says another source in Beirut.
Sources close to the talks, which ended in Cairo on Sunday without a breakthrough but could continue this week, confirm that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have stepped up exchanges with Iran regarding the truce talks.
“Iran is a key behind-the-scenes player in the Gaza negotiations,” one of the sources points out. According to him, Iran's role increased after the assassination of Ismail Haniya because he was killed in Tehran.
According to the information, indirect contacts between Iran and the US negotiated by Oman have been taking place for months. In addition, the Egyptian authorities regularly talk to the authorities in Tehran about stopping or reducing attacks by the Yemeni Houthi rebels against ships in the Red Sea, which lead to a significant drop in Cairo's revenue from the Suez Canal.