G7 foreign ministers oppose 'full scale military operation in Rafah'

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations said on Friday they opposed a "full-scale military operation in Rafah" by Israel as that would have "catastrophic consequences on the civilian population."

Ministers from Italy, the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada also slammed the "unacceptable number of civilians" killed in Gaza during Israel's military offensive.

Israel has vowed to send troops into Gaza's overcrowded Rafah area in its war against Hamas.

"We reiterate our opposition to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population," the ministers said in a statement.

Israel has faced growing global opposition to the relentless war that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, while its 2.4 million people have suffered under an Israeli siege.

"We deplore all losses of civilian lives," G7 ministers said at meeting on Italy's island of Capri. They said they "note with great concern the unacceptable number of civilians, including thousands of women, children and persons in vulnerable situations who have been killed in Gaza."

From L to R: Antony Blinken, Stephane Sejourne, Melanie Joly, Antonio Tajani, Yoko Kamikawa, Annalena Baerbock, David Cameron and Josep Borrell pose for a family photo on the second day of a G7 foreign ministers' meeting on Capri island. Reuters

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,970 people in Gaza, mostly women and children. according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

G7 foreign ministers also urged "all parties" to "work to prevent further escalation" in the Middle East, following reports that Israel had carried out revenge strikes on Iran.
"In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end," the Group of Seven industrialised nations said in a statement.
The ministers from Italy, the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada said they "demand that Iran and its affiliated groups cease their attacks." "We will hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilising actions," they said after a meeting in the Italian island of Capri.
The G7 said it was "ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilising initiatives."

Agence France-Presse