TOKYO: G7 foreign ministers on Wednesday called for humanitarian pauses in the Mideast war to allow in aid and help the release of hostages, and sought a return to a broader peace process.
Ending a two-day meeting in Tokyo as Israeli forces continued to pound the Gaza Strip, the Group of Seven wealthy nations said in a joint statement that they underscored the need to protect civilians and to comply with international humanitarian law.
G7 members are committed to preparing long-term solutions for Gaza and a return to a broader peace process in the Israel-Palestinian conflict "in line with the internationally agreed parameters," the statement said.
The ministers shared the view that "a two-state solution... remains the only path to a just, lasting, and secure peace".
The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 10,500 Palestinians, around 40 per cent of them children, according to counts by health officials in the territory.
"I believe it's important that the G7 was able to put out its first unified message as a statement regarding a humanitarian pause... in terms of the responsibility the G7 has towards the international community," Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters.
Asked whether all G7 members were calling for humanitarian pauses or whether some favoured a full ceasefire, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the statement accurately reflected what was discussed and that there was "real unity" among the bloc.
Israel has been vague about its long-term plans for Gaza. In some of the first direct comments on the subject, Netanyahu said this week that Israel would seek to have security responsibility for Gaza "for an indefinite period".
But Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told the Wall Street Journal that Israel wanted the territory to be under an international coalition, including the US and European Union or administered by Gaza political leaders.
Following the G7 meetings, Blinken said: "Now, the reality is that there may be a need for some transition period at the end of the conflict... We don't see a reoccupation and what I've heard from Israeli leaders is that they have no intent to reoccupy Gaza," Blinken said.
Blinken also said sustained peace must involve a unified Gaza and West Bank governed by the Palestinian Authority and that there must be no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and no reduction in the enclave's territory. — Reuters
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