Israel is working with regional brokers to rein in the Hamas terror group and prevent a security escalation in Gaza during US President Joe Biden's upcoming visit to the Middle East.
The Al Akhbar newspaper, relying on Hamas sources, said that senior sources in Egypt and Qatar turned to Hamas, warning that a security escalation would have negative consequences both for Gaza and Hamas.
The report also said that Israel threatened, by means of the brokers, to take harsh steps towards Gaza, including tightening restrictions, which were only recently loosened.
According to the report, Hamas representatives sent the following message: "The Palestinian nation's fighting activities are not connected to the visit of any person to the region. Rather, an escalation will take place in accordance with vested interests, according how the Palestinians understand it."
Meanwhile, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Gilad Erdan, has warned the UN Security Council that provocations on the part of Hezbollah may lead to an escalation in the region.
"Israel does not want an escalation," he said. "But we will not accept any harm to our sovereignty, and we will take the necessary steps to protect Israeli civilians and the country's infrastructure."