G7 foreign ministers express ‘deep concern’ over rising tensions in Middle East

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies expressed “deep concern” Sunday over the rising tensions in the Middle East.

The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the High Representative of the European Union in a statement indicated their “deep concern at the heightened level of tension in the Middle East, which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region.”

They urged all involved parties “to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to lower tensions and engage constructively toward de-escalation.”

“No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East,” they added.

Earlier, the ministers participated in a videoconference meeting chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

Tensions have escalated between the Lebanese Hezbollah group and Israel since Tel Aviv assassinated the group’s senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, in an airstrike on a southern suburb of the capital Beirut on July 30.

Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was also assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran the following day in an attack blamed on Israel, although Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied responsibility.

Hamas and Iran have vowed to retaliate for Haniyeh's assassination, while Hezbollah has pledged to respond to Shukr's killing.

Fears have grown over a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza which has killed nearly 39,600 people since last October following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.