G7 Demands Humanitarian Aid for Gaza, Sidesteps ICC Warrant Against Netanyahu
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations, joined by their counterparts from the “Arab Quintet” (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates), strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, The Associated Press reports.
While demanding swift and unhindered humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza, the group conspicuously avoided addressing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The G7 communique sharply criticized Israel’s year-long assault on Gaza, warning of unprecedented food insecurity and demanding Israel facilitate “full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms.” However, the statement made no explicit mention of the ICC warrants, which allege Netanyahu and Gallant committed crimes against humanity by using starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally targeting civilians. These accusations are vehemently denied by Israeli officials.
Italy, a G7 member, had attempted to place the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda. However, the issue proved divisive, with the US, Israel’s closest ally and a non-member of the ICC, calling the warrants “outrageous.” While the remaining G7 members are ICC signatories and legally obligated to respect its decisions, the final communique opted for a less confrontational approach.
The statement emphasized Israel’s responsibility to uphold its international humanitarian obligations, with all G7 members reiterating their commitment to international humanitarian law. This carefully worded statement reflects the internal divisions within the G7, balancing the pressure to address the ICC warrants with the need to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
