G7 calls on ME conflict parties not to escalate tensions

KABUL (Pajhwok): Foreign Ministers of the Group Seven (G7) countries have called on all parties involved in the current conflict in the Middle East to avoid actions that could lead to an escalation, a media report said on Monday.

During a video conference chaired by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the G7 ministers expressed "strong concern about the recent events that could lead to a wider regional spread of the crisis, starting with Lebanon, Reuters reported.

The report added: "We call on the parties concerned to desist from any initiative that could hinder the path of dialogue and moderation and encourage a new escalation."

The group also called for an immediate ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza and emphasized the commitment of the member countries of this group to increase humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

Tensions in the Middle East, inflamed by the 10-month-old war in Gaza, have escalated in recent days after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, in Tehran on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran and Hezbollah could launch attacks on Israel “as early as Monday” in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and the Lebanese group commander Fuad Shukr.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, the capital of Iran in an attack last week.

Haniyeh was in Iran’s capital to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

G7 is an intergovernmental organization comprising of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain and the US.

kk/ma