G7 expresses 'deep concern' over situation on Israeli-Lebanese border, warns of 'broader regional conflict'

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - G7 members have expressed their deep concern over the escalating situation along the Blue Line, the de facto Israeli-Lebanese border, calling for a stop to the "current destructive cycle."

In a joint statement, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the high representative of the EU reiterated their commitment to upholding the rule of law, humanitarian principles and international law.

The joint statement, focusing on various global and regional issues, including the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, came after they met in New York, in the wake of the Summit of the Future.

"They noted with deep concern the trend of escalatory violence in the Middle East and its repercussions on regional stability and on the lives of civilians shattered by this conflict, from the Gaza Strip to the Israeli-Lebanese Blue Line," said the statement.

It noted that actions and counter-actions are "magnifying this dangerous spiral of violence" and dragging the entire Middle East into a broader regional conflict with "unimaginable consequences."

"They called for a stop to the current destructive cycle, while emphasizing that no country stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East," read the statement.

Expressing their "deep concern" about the situation along the Blue Line, the statement said the G7 members recognized the essential stabilizing role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in mitigating that risk.

"They demanded the full implementation of UNSCR 1701 (2006) and urged that all relevant actors implement immediate measures towards de-escalation."

The Israeli army has launched waves of deadly airstrikes on Lebanon since Monday morning, killing over 560 people, including 95 women and 50 children, and injuring 1,835 others, Health Minister Firas Abiad said.

- Mediation efforts to reach Gaza deal

The members reaffirmed their strong support for the ongoing mediation efforts undertaken by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to reach a resolution between the parties to the conflict in Gaza.

They also reiterated their full commitment for the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2735 (2024) and the comprehensive deal outlined in May that would lead to an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and an enduring end to the crisis, to secure a pathway to a two-state solution with a safe Israel alongside a sovereign Palestinian state.

"They called on all parties to fully comply with international law, including international humanitarian law," said the statement expressing "deep alarm" over the heavy toll this conflict has taken on civilians, deploring all losses of civilian lives.

"Protection of civilians must be an absolute priority for all parties at all times."

The G7 members also expressed concern at the unprecedented level of food insecurity affecting most of the population in the Gaza Strip, stressing that securing full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access in all its forms and through all relevant crossing points remains an "absolute priority."

They urged all parties to allow the unimpeded delivery of aid and ensure protection of humanitarian workers by properly implementing de-confliction measures.

"The G7 members reaffirmed their unwavering commitment, through reinvigorated efforts in the Middle East Peace Process, to the vision of a two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders ... stressing the importance of unifying the Gaza strip with the West Bank under Palestinian Authority."

They highlighted that mutual recognition, to include the recognition of a Palestinian state, at the appropriate time, "would be a crucial component of that political process."

- War in Ukraine

The statement noted that the G7 members reaffirmed their "unwavering support" to Ukraine against Russian attacks.

"The G7 members strongly condemned Russia’s blatant breach of international law, including the UN Charter, and of the basic principles that underpin the international order," it said.

They also expressed their outrage at Russia’s repeated attacks against critical infrastructure and they "condemned in the strongest possible terms" any targeting of civilian buildings.

The statement underlined that any use of nuclear weapons by Russia in the context of its war on Ukraine would be "inadmissible."

The G7 members "therefore condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric, as well as its posture of strategic intimidation."