G7 foreign ministers called on all parties involved in the current Middle East conflict to avoid actions that could escalate the situation, Italy's foreign minister said Sunday (4/8).
In a video conference chaired by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the G7 ministers expressed “strong concern about recent events that could lead to a broader crisis in the region, starting with Lebanon,” the statement said.
“We call on all parties concerned to desist from any initiatives that could obstruct the path of dialogue and moderation and encourage new escalations.”
Italy is currently serving as president of the G7.
Tensions in the Middle East, fueled by the 10-month war in Gaza, have escalated in recent days following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander in the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
The statement from the G7 meeting also called for the completion of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages there, as well as reaffirming the commitment of G7 countries to intensify humanitarian assistance to the people of the Palestinian enclave. (uh/ab)
