Oliver Towfigh Nia
19 October 2023•Update: 19 October 2023
BERLIN
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday warned Iran and Lebanon-based Hezbollah organization against intervening in the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.
Scholz told the German parliament in Berlin that a spillover of the conflict “would be devastating for the entire region and that is why it is now important that we do everything we can to help ensure that this situation does not escalate further. That there is no new escalation or a new front in the north.”
“And that's why I want to repeat what I said last week in the Bundestag (parliament): there must be no entry by Hezbollah or Iran or their proxies in this war. That would be a serious mistake,” he warned.
Last week, Iran warned that if Israeli attacks on Gaza continue, Tehran “will have to intervene," US media claimed.
The Axios, citing two "unnamed diplomatic sources," claimed that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian conveyed his country's message during a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, with Tor Wennesland, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process.
In other related news, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was scheduled to head to Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon later in the day for a new round of crisis talks amid Israeli attacks on Gaza.
The trip is also intended to secure the release of Westerners held by Hamas, including Germans.
Meanwhile, Baerbock appointed a special envoy for Middle East humanitarian aid issues to coordinate support for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, which Israel has sealed off.
Germany is ready to provide comprehensive assistance amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, the minister said.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”
At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.
