IRAN could turn to violent proxy army Hamas and exploit Israeli hostages trapped in Gaza as bargaining chips, an expert has warned.
Middle East analyst Dr Anahita Motazed Rad spoke to The Sun about how a desperate Iran may respond if Israel launches a revenge strike for its weekend missile blitz.
AFPA man looks at posters with images of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza[/caption]
AFPThe Gaza Strip – war-torn after six months of fighting between Hamas and Israel[/caption]
GettyHamas fighters – one of Iran’s terror proxy groups[/caption]
The LSE professor said “Iran at the moment is just thinking about survival” as Israel gears up to unleash a “strategic and painful” retaliation.
As the conflict-ridden landscape sparks concern around the globe over Iran and Israel’s next steps – Israeli hostages in Gaza remain trapped.
And Dr Rad says it’s “possible” Iran could issue orders for Hamas to kill them in response to Israel’s revenge strike.
Despite speculation over Tel Aviv’s plans to hit Iranian soil in recent days, Dr Rad tells us “there is no doubt” that Israel will respond.
And she explains that the increasingly volatile environment will be further riled up by Iran’s terror proxies – Hezbollah, the Houthis and Hamas.
When asked whether Iran might resort to giving orders for its proxy Hamas to kill the hostages, she said: “Possibly. Maybe, yeah, yes.”
Dr Rad went on: “The Iranian regime is the kind of regime that always are bargaining.”
The regime, which is struggling as many people want to see a change in government, is at its “weakest point”, she explains.
It is buried in a turbulent domestic period and facing condemnation from around the world over Saturday’s attack.
Tehran launched over 300 cruise and ballistic missiles as well as attack drones at Israel in an unprecedented assault.
As part of its bargaining approach the country may now turn to proxy army Hamas to carve out negotiations and leverage with Israel over the trapped hostages.
Dr Rad told The Sun: “The Iranian regime is a kind of opportunistic regime.
“They see all the opportunities for their survival and even escalation of their status in the region, and influence in the region within the chaos.
“And we have the proof for this.”
Hostage family fears
Out of the more than 200 hostages snatched from Israel during the October 7 massacre last year, over 100 were freed in November.
More than 130 are thought to remain in captivity, but it is not clear how many of them might be alive.
Just weeks after the horrific slaughter of more than 1,200 Israelis in October 2023, analysis surfaced probing concerns about their fate.
One piece in Israeli outlet Haaretz said they would be much safer under negotiations brokered by Qatar than if Iran and Hezbollah became more actively involved.
It warned that they might become “pawns in a regional power play”.
Now six months later both Iran and Hezbollah are more involved in the regional conflict – and the hostages have not been freed.
Diplomatic officials are trying to find a new way to secure a hostage deal this week after the Iran strike, Haaretz reports.
One warned: “The situation is bleak. It is too early to say if an acceptable solution can be found.”
Families of the hostages are “deeply concerned” about the escalation with Iran and how it might put their loved ones fate in danger.
Mor Korngold, whose brother is still held in Gaza, said: “In the past week, my anxiety levels have skyrocketed. It began with the attack on the embassy in Damascus and continued with the Iranian response.
Yarden Gonen, whose sister Romi is there, said Netanyahu’s war cabinet should use the Iran strike as “leverage for a deal”.
Matty Dancyg, whose dad Alex was kidnapped on October 7 and has yet to be released, told the New Yorker about his fears.
He worries the Iranian strike could jeopardise the possibility of a ceasefire and hostage negotiation deal.
Matty said: “It’s yet another thing that would make Bibi divert attention away from the hostages.”
Revenge strike
Netanyahu’s war cabinet has carved out plans for a “strategic but painful” revenge attack on Iranian soil, according to intelligence sources.
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are now simply waiting for the right moment to launch as a fractured Middle East teeters on the brink of war.
Despite worldwide calls for cool heads to prevail, Netanyahu’s ranks have repeatedly insisted that a retaliatory strike is the only response.
UK foreign minister David Cameron landed in Jerusalem this morning and said “It is clear the Israelis are making a decision to act”.
He added that the British government is hoping Israel responds in a way that can do “as little to escalate this as possible”.
But Israel doubled down yesterday, warning Iran it wouldn’t get off “scot-free”.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “We cannot stand still from this kind of aggression, Iran will not get [off] scot-free with this aggression.
“We will respond in our time, in our place, in the way that we will choose.”
AFPIranian soldiers take part in a military parade today as they brandish drones and missiles[/caption]
Pixel8000Fears for the hostages have grown since Iran’s attack on Israel over the weekend, pictured: Iranian missiles firing[/caption]