G-7 adopts unified stance on Israel-Hamas war after intensive meetings in Tokyo

Top diplomats from the Group of 7 leading industrial democracies announced a unified stance on the Israel-Hamas war Wednesday, condemning Hamas, supporting Israel’s right to self-defense and calling for “humanitarian pauses” to speed aid to desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip. It came “at a very intense time for our countries and for the world,” Blinken said in remarks to reporters, adding that “G-7 unity is stronger and more important than ever.” The ministers noted that the G-7 is “working intensively to prevent the conflict from escalating further and spreading more widely” and is also using sanctions and other measures “to deny Hamas the ability to raise and use funds to carry out atrocities.” They also condemned “the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians,” which they said is “unacceptable, undermines security in the West Bank, and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.” As the diplomats met in downtown Tokyo, a United Nations agency said thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are fleeing south on foot with only what they can carry after running out of food and water in the north. We must also ensure no terrorist threats can emanate from the West Bank.” Besides the monthlong conflict in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in which militants killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, the G-7 envoys dealt with a flurry of other crises, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and China’s growing aggression in territorial disputes with its neighbors. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said that G-7 foreign ministers “strongly condemned North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches as well as arms transfers from North Korea to Russia, which directly violate relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions.” She stressed the need for G-7 unity and cooperation in tackling global conflicts and tensions.