Expert warns of surface fire: rocket attacks lead to an escalation in the Middle East

Expert warns of surface fire: rocket attacks lead to an escalation in the Middle East

Israel's priorities are no longer due to peace negotiations, says ex-EU special representative for the Middle East

After the latest attacks and the death of two leading members of Hamas and Hisbollah, the Middle East threatens to run up in flames. Andreas Reinicke, director of the German Orient Institute and former German ambassador and EU special officer for the peace process in the Middle East, is of the opinion that the Israeli leadership wants to send out a clear message with these attacks: "It seems that their priorities are no longer at the peace negotiations, otherwise they would not kill the leaders of Hamas," explained Reinicke in an interview with TV station Phoenix.

Reinicke also emphasized the consequences of these attacks for the Israeli hostages, which were deported after the attack on Hamas on October 7, 2023. He said: "Obviously there seems to be no priority either, through negotiations that are still valued 120 Israeli hostages. This has now become very clear through these attacks."

The intention of western states to avoid a multi-fronten confrontation in the Middle East has failed, said Reinicke. "With this attack on the second highest man of the Hisbollah and Ismail Hanija, the head of Hamas, there is even a three-front war," he said, adding that Iran is now also involved. Although the regime in Tehran is actually not interested in dealing with Israel, the humiliation for the population and its own supporters is so strong that an answer appears inevitable.

Reinicke emphasized the urgency of peace in the region and appealed to Germany and Europe to play a more active role in solving the conflict. "We don't care about the conflict. An end is absolutely in our German and European interest," he emphasized. In addition to the security of Israel, it is also concerned with European interests in terms of energy supply and avoiding migration.

It is clear that the priorities in Israel have shifted and peace negotiations are currently not the focus of the government. This has worrying effects on the entire region and requires increased international cooperation to prevent the conflict escalating. It remains to be hoped that Germany and Europe recognize the urgency of this situation and actively get involved in peace in the Middle East.