MILAN, Italy: The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies called for all parties involved in the ongoing Middle East conflict to avoid actions that could lead to further escalation. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired a videoconference where the G7 ministers expressed “strong concern about the recent events that could lead to a wider regional spread of the crisis, starting with Lebanon.”
The G7 statement urged all parties to “desist from any initiative that could hinder the path of dialogue and moderation and encourage a new escalation.” The call for restraint comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, which have been exacerbated by the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas, in Tehran. This followed an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah military commander.
The G7 ministers also called for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the release of hostages, and reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying humanitarian aid to the people of the Palestinian enclave. Italy currently holds the G7’s rotating presidency.
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