NUNZIUM

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has drawn the attention of the world. In response, foreign ministers from the G7 nations recently gathered in Tokyo to discuss the situation and establish a collective stance. The G7, an influential intergovernmental organization made up of seven of the world's largest advanced economies, includes the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy. This group plays a pivotal role in global decision-making and diplomacy.

The G7 ministers unanimously condemned Hamas, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the G7 nations and Israel. They also affirmed Israel's right to self-defense. However, they did not overlook the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict, calling for "humanitarian pauses" in the Gaza Strip to allow the delivery of aid such as food, water, medical care, and shelter.

The call for humanitarian pauses is timely, as the United Nations reports thousands of Palestinians are fleeing south on foot due to resource scarcity in the north. An intense battle between the Israeli army and Hamas in Gaza City has resulted in approximately 50,000 civilians moving from the northern to the southern parts of Gaza.

Amidst this humanitarian crisis, several countries are providing aid. Italy is sending a hospital ship with 170 personnel, including 30 trained for medical emergencies, to help victims of the conflict. The Netherlands also plans to dispatch a military ship to aid the Gaza Strip in mid-November.

Amid the escalating violence, the G7 ministers urged Iran to abstain from supporting Hamas and destabilizing the Middle East, including its support for Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors, which are also considered terrorist organizations by several countries.

The G7's collective stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict underscores their commitment to addressing geopolitical issues together. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida both stressed the importance of a unified response to the crisis and the need for G7 unity in dealing with the current situation in Israel and Palestine, as well as other challenges in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region.

However, the path to peace is not straightforward. Despite the G7's call for humanitarian pauses, the conflict continues. The Israeli military has reportedly destroyed 130 Hamas tunnel shafts in the Gaza Strip, which serve as a vital resource for the group.

The conflict has also incited an increase in extremist settler violence against Palestinians. The G7 diplomats condemned this escalation and underscored the need for security in the West Bank. Despite these challenges, the G7 remains optimistic about revitalizing the Middle East peace process.

The G7's unified stance provides a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Their call for humanitarian pauses and condemnation of extremist violence demonstrates their commitment to a peaceful resolution. As the conflict persists, the world watches in anticipation, hoping that these efforts will lead to an end to hostilities and a return to peace.