Before the anniversary

Schallenberg fears “firestorm” in the Middle East

Alexander Schallenberg sees the conditions for a broad conflict.

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) has called for an end to the violence in the Middle East on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on October 7. "365 days later, the suffering of the people and the spiral of violence must finally come to an end", Schallenberg announced in a press release on Sunday. "Reasonable" forces must be strengthened.

"We cannot afford to allow a firestorm to rage throughout the region and beyond. Everyone would lose." It was "high time for a ceasefire".

The ceasefire was "crucial for the remaining hostages to be released and for more aid to be brought to Gaza to improve the devastating humanitarian situation", said Schallenberg. He recalled that the Israeli-Austrian dual national Tal Shoham was among the hostages. "His release is our top priority," Schallenberg said, referring to intensive efforts at all levels.

"Reasonable" people should be strengthened
Schallenberg spoke out in favor of strengthening the reasonable voices in the region that are committed to a peaceful solution. "This is the only way Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. This is the only way to save future generations from the trauma and suffering we are currently experiencing."

Fighters from the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas invaded Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people, most of them civilians, in sometimes brutal ways and deporting around 200 others to the Gaza Strip.

October massacre caused a conflagration
Israel then launched a war to overthrow Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip. According to the local authorities, more than 40,000 people died as a result of massive bombardments and fighting in the densely populated coastal strip. The majority of these victims were also civilians.

Hezbollah was hit hard by Israel.

(Bild: APA/AP)

Because Hamas is allied with the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Iran, the conflict also has regional dimensions. Just last week, Iran attacked Israel for the second time with a myriad of missiles to avenge the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh - the latter was killed in Tehran. Israel also launched a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon last week.