Iran and its proxies could attack Israel within the next 24 hours in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in late July, Fox News reported on Monday, citing Middle East sources.
“There may be no attack at all, or there could be one tonight,” an Iranian regime insider told the Financial Times. “Waiting for death is more difficult than death itself."
“Iran has launched a psychological warfare campaign to keep Israel’s military, security, and logistical capabilities on edge, denying residents of the occupied territories any sense of calm,” the insider added.
Western leaders have issued a joint statement warning Iran and its allies against any attack that would "further escalate regional tensions," Fox News reported.
European leaders from France, Germany, and the UK called on Israel and Hamas not to delay their return to the negotiating table to agree on a hostage ceasefire deal as Lebanon braces for a wider war and ISIS is plotting a resurgence.
Hamas on Sunday said it would not participate in the scheduled negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal unless mediators presented a plan based on previous discussions.
Concern over regional tensions
"We are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region and united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability. In this context, and in particular, we call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote, Fox News reported.
The European leaders added that Iran "will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability." They added, "No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East."