Tue Nov 26 18:03:33 UTC 2024: ## G7 Urges Immediate Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire, Sidesteps ICC Warrants
**Fiuggi, Italy –** Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations on Tuesday strongly endorsed an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, but avoided direct comment on International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC warrants allege that Netanyahu and Gallant utilized “starvation as a method of warfare” and intentionally targeted Palestinian civilians in Gaza – charges both men deny. While Italy, a G7 member, placed the warrants on the meeting agenda, the U.S., Israel’s closest ally and not an ICC member, denounced the warrants as “outrageous.” Other G7 nations, all ICC signatories, are obliged to uphold the court’s decisions.
The G7’s final statement affirmed that Israel, while entitled to self-defense, must adhere to international law. It reiterated the group’s commitment to international humanitarian law and underscored that there is “no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism regarding a soon-to-be-announced ceasefire, noting that negotiations were progressing. Mr. Netanyahu’s security cabinet was also meeting to discuss the proposed ceasefire, which reportedly includes Israeli stipulations for recourse should Hezbollah violate the agreement.
The G7 ministers were joined by representatives from the “Arab Quintet” (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE). EU High Representative Josep Borrell insisted there were “no excuses” for Israel to reject a ceasefire, asserting that the U.S.-France brokered deal addresses all of Israel’s security concerns. He called for increased pressure on Israel to avoid succumbing to internal opposition. He also warned that a failure to implement a ceasefire could lead to Lebanon’s collapse.
Mr. Borrell further proposed a UN Security Council resolution to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza.
While the Middle East conflict dominated the initial day, the G7 also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha briefed the ministers on Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The G7 condemned Russia’s alleged use of North Korean troops and its nuclear rhetoric, reaffirming its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Secretary Blinken reiterated the U.S.’s continued commitment to its allies amidst concerns regarding a potential shift in U.S. policy under a future Trump administration.
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