A close confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, is set to engage in talks with Biden administration officials on Tuesday. The discussions, expected to cover the next phase of the ongoing war in Gaza, involve Dermer meeting with key figures such as National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Biden administration has been seeking a shift from the high-intensity conflict, which has persisted for nearly three months, resulting in around 20,000 casualties.
In parallel developments, Egypt proposes a three-phase peace plan to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with a focus on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Families of hostages disrupted a parliamentary session, expressing dissent over the extended military operations. Pope Francis used his Christmas Day message to call for a ceasefire and an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
On a separate front, Iran and its proxies vow retaliation against Israel following the alleged assassination of IRGC commander Seyyed Razi Mousavi in a reported Israeli airstrike in Syria. Iran accuses Israel of the killing, and warnings of repercussions are echoed by Hezbollah and the al-Nujaba Resistance Movement in Iraq. The situation raises concerns about heightened regional tensions amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Overall, the region remains in a complex and sensitive state, with diplomatic efforts, warnings, and military actions unfolding simultaneously.