G7 foreign ministers have come together to call for “humanitarian pauses” in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas to allow the delivery of much-needed aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
In a joint statement following their meetings in Tokyo, the G7 ministers expressed condemnation of Hamas's actions and expressed support for Israel's right to self-defence.
However, they also emphasized the necessity for humanitarian pauses in Israel's shelling of Gaza to address the dire needs of the civilian population, including access to food, water, medical care, and shelter.
The G7 ministers further expressed their concerns about the increase in extremist settler violence against Palestinians, deeming it unacceptable.
They stressed that such violence undermines security in the West Bank and poses a threat to the prospects of achieving a lasting peace in the region.
According to reports, the Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 154 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with 2,150 arrests made by Israeli forces since the conflict began a month ago.
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are now fleeing south on foot due to food and water shortages, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.
Israel has reported ongoing military operations against Hamas fighters in Gaza City, where a significant civilian population resides.
The Israeli military claims that Gaza City serves as Hamas's central command and includes an extensive network of tunnels.
The conflict has taken a severe toll on the Palestinian population, with over 10,000 Palestinians killed in the Israeli bombardment, including approximately 40% who are children, as reported by Gaza's health officials.
The majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been internally displaced, with many seeking refuge in hospitals and makeshift shelters.
The healthcare system in Gaza is under strain due to shortages of fuel and medical supplies, and the United Nations has warned that essential services, including health, sanitation, water, and food, are nearing a breaking point.
