G7 firm Israel, Hamas must allow flow of necessaries into Gaza, aims for 2 state solution

 

Emmanuel Thomas I Wednesday, Nov.08, 2023

JAPAN – The Group of seven nations otherwise called G7 has issued a stern warning to Israel and Hamas on the war in Gaza , insisting that parties must maintain a humanitarian truce and ensure unhindered passage of food and other necessaries into Gaza.

The G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union made the resolution during their meeting in Japan.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the group underscored the fact that lasting peace is contingent on Israel and Palestine living side by side as Independent viable states.

“We underscore that a two-state solution, which envisions Israel and a viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition, remains the only path to a just, lasting, and secure peace”, he said.

The G7 also ruled out blockade of Gaza, which it underscored could have contributed to the present impass against the position of Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel will be fully in charge of security in Gaza for a very long time.

Blinken said that Palestine will not secede any territory and neither will Palestinians be forced out of Gaza.

“We unequivocally condemn the terror attacks by Hamas and others across Israel that began on October 7, 2023, as well as ongoing missile attacks against Israel.

“We emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people, in accordance with international law, as it seeks to prevent a recurrence.

“We call for the immediate release of all hostages without preconditions. We express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of these attacks and their families, as well as all civilians, Palestinian, Israeli, and others, including our own citizens, who have died or been injured during this conflict. Israelis and Palestinians have an equal right to live in safety, dignity, and peace.

“We reject antisemitism and Islamophobia in any form in our own societies and anywhere in the world. We stress the need for urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“All parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel, and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers.

“We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages. Foreign nationals must also be allowed to continue to depart. We underscore the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. Since October 7, the G7 members have pledged an additional $500 million for the Palestinian people, including through the UN agencies and other humanitarian actors.

“We urge countries around the world to join us in this effort. We welcome the November 9 international conference in Paris on humanitarian issues”, the G7 said, adding that the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians is unacceptable and that it undermines security in the West Bank, and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.

” The G7 members, along with partners in the region, are working intensively to prevent the conflict from escalating further and spreading more widely. We are also working together, including by imposing sanctions or other measures, to deny Hamas the ability to raise and use funds to carry out atrocities.

“The G7 members are committed to working closely with partners to prepare sustainable long-term solutions for Gaza and a return to a broader peace process in line with the internationally agreed parameters.

“We underscore that a two-state solution, which envisions Israel and a viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition, remains the only path to a just, lasting, and secure peace”.