G7 FMs Welcome Hostage Release Deal, Truce in Gaza

G7 Foreign Ministers welcomed, on Wednesday, the hostage release deal between Hamas and Israel, and the humanitarian truce in Gaza.

In an official statement, G7 ministries said that the recent truce "allowed a surge in humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We, as the G7, urge the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally."

They added in their statement that they call for a facilitated departure of all foreign nationals. 

They also appreciated the role of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting that they support the significant efforts of the UN to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

The G7 foreign Ministers asserted: "We call on all parties to build on the provisions of the deal and to ensure greater humanitarian aid continues to reach civilians in Gaza on a sustained basis. Every effort must be made to ensure humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. We support the further extension of this pause and future pauses as needed to enable assistance to be scaled up, and to facilitate the release of all hostages."

They added: "We underscore the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work with all partners in the region to prevent the conflict from escalating further."

The ministers concluded their statement: "We remain committed to a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace."