By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) – Japan is set to host top diplomats from G-7 member nations for a two-day summit beginning Tuesday.
The summit comes as Israel has launched indiscriminate attacks on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza as well as the occupied West Bank.
Top diplomats of Japan (current G-7 chair), Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the US, UK, and EU will attend the meeting at Iikura Guest House in the Japanese capital Tokyo.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is expected to remain on the agenda during various discussions over the course of two days.
This is the first face-to-face meeting of the G-7 top diplomats since the Israeli war on Gaza began on Oct. 7.
Japan has announced $65 million in aid for Palestinians in Gaza but has taken a position akin to that of the US on Hamas, denouncing its actions.
Tokyo may, however, press on its call for a humanitarian pause as the Gaza Strip faces a disastrous crisis for want of essentials, drinking water, medical aid, and food.
The G-7 members meet after four different draft resolutions concerning Gaza were vetoed in the UN Security Council since last month.
Israel has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, have been killed in Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip.
In the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, Israeli forces and Jewish settlers have killed 163 Palestinians since the ongoing war began.
The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.