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G-7 calls on Hamas to accept Biden’s plan and asks Israel to limit its operations in Rafah

The G-7 leaders have called on Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal included in US President Joe Biden’s plan. They have also urged Israel to limit Israel’s offensive in Rafah. “We reiterate our call on Hamas to fully and unambiguously accept and implement the ceasefire proposal” and urge countries with influence over the Islamist group “to help ensure this”, said the final declaration of the group’s summit in Apulia (southern Italy).

In addition, they urge Israel to refrain from carrying out a “large-scale military offensive” in Rafah, which “would have even more grave consequences for civilians”, when the war in the Gaza Strip has already killed more than 37,000 people. After reiterating their “strong condemnation of the brutal terrorist attacks” of October 7, the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Canada and Italy reiterated their “full support” for Biden’s plan for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and the support and protection of the civilian population.

In addition to calling on Hamas to accept it, they welcome the fact that Israel has done so “and is willing to get on with it”, but they call on Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to “fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law” and condemn Hamas for “not disengaging or separating itself from civilians in Gaza”. (Efe)