On the evening of Thursday 3 October, the G7 leaders called on the regional players in the Middle East to show restraint, while Israel claims to have struck more than 2,000 sites in four days in southern Lebanon, and the Jewish state has promised to retaliate against Iranian strikes.
“A dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks fuelling uncontrollable escalation in the Middle East, which is in no one’s interest. Therefore, we call on all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint”, they stressed in a joint statement, adding that they had discussed coordinated efforts and actions to avoid escalation in the region. The G7 encouraged all parties to engage constructively to defuse the current tensions and reiterated that international humanitarian law must be respected.
Strongly condemning Iran’s direct military attack on Israel, “which constitutes a serious threat to regional stability”, the G7 called for an end to Iran’s deeply destabilising actions throughout the Middle East, through terrorist proxies, armed groups and Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.
The leaders also reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where the situation is “catastrophic”, the unconditional release of all hostages, a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid and an end to the conflict.
Similarly, deeply concerned by the situation in Lebanon, the leaders reiterated the need for a cessation of hostilities “as soon as possible” to create the conditions for a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
“This is the only path to durably de-escalate tensions, stabilise the Israel-Lebanon border, fully restore the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Lebanon, and return displaced citizens to their homes with safety and security on both sides”, the leaders warned.
The G7 pledged to provide humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of civilians in Lebanon and to strengthen its support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)