UN and G7 call for a humanitarian pause in the conflict between Israel and Hamas
G7 foreign ministers called on Wednesday (8) for a humanitarian pause in the war between Israel and Hamas to allow the entry of aid and the release of hostages, and defended the return to a “broader peace process” that the Israeli armed forces are currently pursuing continue to attack the Gaza Strip.
The G7 includes the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA.
At the end of a twoday meeting in Tokyo, the Group of Seven said in a joint statement that Israel has the right to defend itself, while stressing the need to protect civilians and comply with international humanitarian law.
“We support humanitarian breaks and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, the movement of civilians and the release of hostages.”
Asked whether all G7 members were calling for a humanitarian pause or whether some were in favor of a full ceasefire, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the statement “very accurately” reflected what was discussed and that there was “real unity” between the give block.
NATO also says it supports a pause
Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said on Wednesday (8) that the organization’s allies support humanitarian pauses so that humanitarian aid can be sent to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The terrorist group Hamas triggered the most recent war with an attack in southern Israel on October 7th, in which 1,400 people were killed and around 240 were taken hostage.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, a Hamascontrolled body, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombings of Gaza since then. This number has not been independently verified.