Capitals: Europe and the Arabs
The Group of Seven countries joined other international parties that affirm their commitment to Israel's security despite all the massacres committed by the occupation army in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and elsewhere. The US administration, the European Union, Britain and others had previously expressed the same position in previous statements. The massacres that are taking place do not require the international community to take deterrent decisions and to be satisfied with condemnation and demanding self-restraint. This came hours after UN statements warning of the seriousness of the matter.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that the form of the international community's humanitarian response so far is prolonging the Israeli occupation, which the highest court in the world, the International Court of Justice, has declared illegal.
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned in an article published by The Economist that the international community is in grave danger of becoming "complicit in international crimes", a year after the war in Gaza.
He explained that this war continues to expose a frightening deficit in mutual compassion, noting that the authority of laws that could halt the “descent into barbarism” is itself slipping “into irrelevance.” Lazzarini warned that without these laws, the world could be heading toward the same fate as Gaza. “In the occupied Palestinian territory, the operational space is rapidly shrinking not only for UNRWA, but for any individual, organization or state that calls for adherence to international humanitarian law or supports a peaceful political solution to this decades-long conflict,” he added. The statement was distributed last night and we received a copy of it in Brussels through the institutions of the unified bloc, which stated: “We, the leaders of the G7, express our deep concern about the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East and condemn in the strongest terms the direct military attack launched by Iran against Israel, which poses a serious threat to regional stability.
We unequivocally affirm our commitment to Israel’s security. Iran’s dangerously destabilizing actions throughout the Middle East through its terrorist proxies and armed groups - including the Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas - as well as Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq, must stop. Yesterday, we discussed coordinated efforts and actions to avoid escalation in the region.
A dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks fueling an uncontrollable escalation in the Middle East, which is in no one’s interest. We therefore call on all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint. We encourage all parties to engage constructively to de-escalate current tensions. International humanitarian law must be respected.
On the eve of the tragic anniversary of the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, we once again condemn We condemn in the strongest possible terms such unjustified acts of deliberate violence and stand with the families of the victims and hostages taken by Hamas.

We also reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in the flow of humanitarian assistance, and an end to the conflict. We fully support the efforts of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to reach such a comprehensive deal, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, and tens of thousands of innocent lives have been lost. We emphasize the absolute need to protect the civilian population and that there must be full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access, as an absolute priority. We will continue to work to create the conditions for a lasting peace, leading to a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace, with security for both.

We are deeply concerned about the situation in Lebanon. We recall the need for a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible to create space for a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This is the only path to a lasting de-escalation of tensions, a stabilization of the border between Israel and Lebanon, the full restoration of sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability in Lebanon, and the return of displaced citizens to their homes in safety and security on both sides. We urge all actors to protect the civilian population. We are committed to providing humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of civilians in Lebanon. We also express our deepest condolences to the families of the civilian victims in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon. We emphasize the importance of the United Nations in resolving armed conflict and mitigating the humanitarian impact in the Middle East. In this regard, we recognize the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in restoring peace and security. We are committed to strengthening our support to the Mission, in accordance with applicable UN resolutions. We will continue to engage closely with all parties to this end.