The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries announced on Wednesday their support for Israel and for the adoption of pauses in humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, including all safe corridors created.
At the meeting held on Wednesday, the G-7 foreign ministers expressed their support for Israel, saying that Israel has the right to defend itself from external attack so as to ensure its continued existence.
“As the G-7, we have condemned Hamas’ abominable acts of terror, and we underscore Israel’s right to defend itself within the parameters of international law,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.
In a joint statement made available after the meeting, the G-7 foreign ministers stated that there was a “need for urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
“We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages.”
“All parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel, shelter, and access for humanitarian workers.”
The ministers further stated that the G7 is “working intensively to prevent the conflict from escalating further and spreading more widely” and also using sanctions and other measures “to deny Hamas the ability to raise and use funds to carry out atrocities.”
They unanimously agreed that there is a rise in extremism and associated violence against Palestinians. To them, such nefarious actions are condemned and unacceptable.
The G-7 foreign ministers expressed their concern about children, women, and men caught in the line of battle in Gaza.
They expressed their monetary efforts geared towards supporting humanitarian efforts.
“As the G7, we provide around two-thirds of the funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). We are thus the key donors for humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians and have been for many years.”
The G-7 Foreign Ministers Meeting is taking place in Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, on November 7 and 8, 2023.
