Riikka Eela, unit manager of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Middle East unit, hopes that room for diplomacy would be found in the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Early Friday morning, Israel carried out an expected counterstrike to Iran’s attack last weekend. At that time, Iran fired hundreds of airplanes and missiles towards Israel.
Unit manager of the Middle East unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Riikka Eelan according to now, new rounds have been taken in the game that is getting tougher. Both countries have now struck from their own soil on the soil of the other, taking the blows in their own names.
– If the leaders of the countries are responsible, they will understand that we are already at a level where damage can occur. Although the strikes themselves are limited, there is a nervousness in the air that can lead to human and technical errors.
According to Eela, it is now a question of whether the leaders of the countries are able to get out of the situation without losing face, without having to tighten the rounds all the time. Otherwise, the situation may at some point escalate so that very large numbers of civilians are in danger.
The international community and other things that happen in the Middle East also have their own role.
Israel’s attack on Gaza has killed more than 30,000 people, and the hostages taken by Hamas have still not been released.
Last night, the UN Security Council voted for Palestine’s full UN membership. The United States vetoed the application, but for example all EU countries already voted for membership.
– There are terribly moving pieces here. We should really give space to diplomacy now.
According to Eela, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review the situation during Friday morning. He urges Finns in Israel to follow the information of the local authorities and to keep calm.
Eela commented on the situation in ‘s morning.