Iran reportedly poised to strike Israel within 24 hours, sources say

Western powers, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement urging Iran and its allies to refrain from actions that could further exacerbate tensions in the Middle East.

The call comes amid concerns that Iran and its proxies might launch retaliatory attacks against Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran late last month.

Regional sources informed Fox News on August 12 that there is significant apprehension that Iran and its affiliates could strike Israel within the next 24 hours, Caliber.Az reports.

This potential escalation follows a series of recent events that have heightened regional instability. The joint statement from French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stresses the urgent need for both Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of hostages without further delay.

In their statement, the Western leaders emphasized their collective concern about the rising tensions in the region and their commitment to de-escalation and stability. They specifically called on Iran and its allies to avoid any actions that would escalate the situation and undermine efforts to achieve a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages. The leaders warned, "They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability," and reiterated that no nation stands to benefit from further escalation in the Middle East.

However, on August 11, Hamas announced that it would not engage in new cease-fire negotiations this week unless mediators present a plan based on previous discussions. Hamas, which continues to hold dozens of hostages, has claimed to have shown "flexibility" throughout the negotiation process. The group criticized suspected Israeli actions, including the assassination of Haniyeh, as indicative of Israel's lack of seriousness about pursuing a cease-fire agreement.

The current escalation is the continuation of the major conflict which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a significant attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 200 hostages. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation Iron Swords. The conflict further intensified with the killing of key figures from Hezbollah and Hamas, including Fuad Shuker, the head of the Hamas politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas's military wing, in late July and early August. These developments have been attributed to Israel and have contributed to the already volatile situation in the region.