G7 leaders on Thursday called on Palestinian militant group Hamas to accept a roadmap towards a ceasefire in Gaza announced by US President Joe Biden in May. The UN Security Council had supported the plan, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of implementation.
“Everyone Must Implement the Plan”
Kabul 24: “We therefore call on Hamas in particular to give the necessary consent so that this can now work,” Scholz said at the Group of Seven summit in Italy, as reported by AFP. The G7 leaders, including Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the US, are united in their support for the US mediation proposal and the immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Uncertainty Remains Over Hostage Release and Permanent Ceasefire
However, the deal remains uncertain as Hamas officials have insisted that any ceasefire agreement must guarantee a permanent end to the war — a demand Israel has firmly rejected.
The G7 leaders also called for “the release of all hostages, and for a significant increase in humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza”, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is hosting the summit.
G7 Leaders Confirm Unanimous Support
Meloni confirmed “the unanimous support for the US mediation proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza”, emphasizing the collective commitment of the G7 leaders to resolving the conflict.
The G7 leaders are working together to secure a truce and hostage release, with US President Joe Biden launching a new US effort late last month to achieve this goal.