The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations convened on Sunday to urge all parties involved in the ongoing Middle East crisis to avoid actions that could further escalate the conflict. The G7 Italian presidency emphasized the need for dialogue and moderation in a joint statement.
In a recent videoconference, the ministers expressed \"strong concern about recent events that threaten to lead to a regionalization of the crisis, starting with Lebanon,\" according to Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. This extraordinary meeting was prompted by a surge in tensions following a series of high-profile incidents.
On July 31, the assassinations of Hezbollah's senior military commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut and Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran intensified the conflict. A rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights a few days earlier had tragically killed 12 children and teenagers, further inflaming tensions.
In the aftermath, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah have held Israel responsible for the killings, threatening retaliation. Israel has claimed responsibility for the death of Shokor, citing it as a response to the Golan Heights strike, though it has not confirmed involvement in Haniyeh's assassination.
The exchange of fire and rockets along the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified, prompting increased diplomatic efforts to contain the situation. The G7 presidency reaffirmed the priority of achieving a successful ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the commitment to enhance humanitarian aid to the affected populations.
Additionally, Italy's foreign minister advised Italian citizens temporarily residing in Lebanon to leave the country promptly due to the worsening conditions, and recommended that all Italian citizens avoid traveling there. Italy's stance aligns with other governments, including those of France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Jordan, in ensuring the safety of their nationals.
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G7 FMs urges efforts to avoid escalation of Middle East conflict
cgtn.com
