G7 countries agree on support for Israel’s self-defense, urge ‘humanitarian pauses’

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial democracies announce a unified stance on the Israel-Hamas war after intensive meetings in Tokyo, condemning Hamas, supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and calling for “humanitarian pauses” to speed aid to desperate Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy “emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people in accordance with international law as it seeks to prevent a recurrence” of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.

They also express support for “humanitarian pauses to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and release of hostages.”

The statement calls on Iran “to refrain from providing support for Hamas and taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including support for Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors, and to use its influence with those groups to de-escalate regional tensions.”

It also condemns “the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians,” which the ministers say is “unacceptable, undermines security in the West Bank, and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.”