Iran explores details of anticipated exchange deal between Hamas and Israel
Iran's Foreign Minister discusses with Haniyeh, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, and the Egyptian Foreign Minister the developments of the war in Gaza and efforts to cease-fire
Iran discusses the latest developments related to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip with its allies from Palestinian factions as well as with Egypt, coinciding with talks about a hostage exchange deal and a temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel under the auspices of Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hussein Amir Abdollahian, discussed Thursday with Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and the Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the latest developments of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, where the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that the talks came during two phone calls. The statement added that Abdollahian emphasized that “the immediate cessation of Israel’s crimes against innocent civilians in Gaza is key to establishing stability and tranquility in the entire region.”
In this context, the Iranian Minister congratulated what he described as “the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people during the past four months,” affirming that “the Palestinian people, the true owners of Palestinian land, have the right to determine their destiny and future, and no party has the right to impose its will and plans on them.”
For his part, Haniyeh briefed the Iranian side on the latest developments in the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and the plans and political initiatives regarding stopping Israeli attacks and prisoner exchanges, according to the same statement, emphasizing that they would not consider the proposed solutions unless the interests of the Palestinian people were met.
In his contact with al-Nakhalah, the Iranian Minister discussed the latest developments in Gaza and Palestine and the proposals presented to Palestinian factions regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, emphasizing during the call the “necessity of continuing regional and international efforts to immediately stop Israel’s crimes against innocent civilians in Gaza and oppose forced displacement.”
The Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement emphasized that “the Palestinian people will ultimately emerge victorious from the war and Israel will have no choice but to submit to the will of the Palestinian people.”
Iran supports both Hamas and Jihad movements but has disclaimed any role in the October 7th attack while recently seeking to contain tensions with the United States in the region by urging its allies in Iraq to stop attacks against American bases after the killing of 3 American soldiers and injuring dozens in a march attack on the Syrian-Jordanian border.
Additionally, the Revolutionary Guard decided to withdraw a number of its senior officers from Syria in response to Israeli attacks. Abdollahian also discussed with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Thursday efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza during a phone call, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The two ministers discussed “the developments of the crisis in Gaza amid continuing Israeli attacks and the catastrophic humanitarian conditions facing the Palestinian people in the Strip.”
Shoukry briefed his Iranian counterpart on “Egypt’s efforts to try to reach a ceasefire to stop the bloodshed of Palestinian brothers and allow the entry of aid sustainably meeting the needs of the sector,” expressing “Egypt’s great concern about the widening of the conflict area in the region, which has negatively and dangerously cast its shadows on the sovereignty and stability of a number of sister Arab countries.”
He emphasized that “the widening area and scope of the conflict do not serve the interests of any party and negatively affect the efforts to resolve the crisis,” according to the Egyptian statement, expressing “Egypt’s concern and condemnation of the widening area of military tensions in the southern Red Sea region.”
He pointed out that they “negatively affect the interests of many countries, including Egypt, due to the threat posed to international navigation in this important and strategic international waterway.”
According to the statement, “the Egyptian and Iranian foreign ministers affirmed their full rejection of any plans or actions aimed at displacing Palestinians outside their territories, and agreed to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire allowing for the protection of the Palestinian people and the entry of aid.”
The two ministers emphasized that joint efforts by regional countries are important for maintaining stability and peace, stressing the cessation of the war on Gaza as the key to ensuring peace and stability in the region. They also discussed the latest developments in the Red Sea.
