Published: 10:24, November 9, 2023 | Updated: 14:17, November 9, 2023
G7 foreign ministers call for pauses in Israel-Hamas conflict
By Xinhua

(From left) High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pose for a group photo during the Group of 7 Foreign Ministers meetings at the Iikura Guest House on Nov 8, 2023, in Tokyo. (PHOTO / AP)

TOKYO / AMMAN / OTTAWA - Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7), King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday separately called for actions to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

As the conflict topped the agenda of a two-day meeting of the foreign ministers in Tokyo, they released a joint statement after the talks that they support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and release of hostages.

"We underscore that a two-state solution, which envisions Israel and a viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition, remains the only path to a just, lasting and secure peace," the statement said.

It also called for humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel, shelter and access for humanitarian workers.

King Abdullah II of Jordan called for stepping up international actions to reach an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by Jordan's Royal Hashemite Court

ALSO READ: G7 backing sought for Gaza cease-fire

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said humanitarian pauses should be long enough to allow all hostages to be released, and for significant amounts of aid and medical resources to get in, so the work can begin to de-escalate the situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon where tensions are spilling over.

"And where we actually start doing the work of the real heavy lifting that's going to be required to get back on track to a two-state solution, to start imagining what the long-term future of a viable Palestinian state looks like: safe, secure. And, beside a safe, secure, viable and successful Israeli state," Trudeau said.

Currently, a petition on the House of Commons website is requiring the prime minister to take the necessary measures to address the Israel-Palestine conflict including calling for an immediate ceasefire.

ALSO READ: Israeli PM: No ceasefire in Gaza without release of hostages

King Abdullah II of Jordan addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept 19, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah II of Jordan called for stepping up international actions to reach an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by Jordan's Royal Hashemite Court.

He made the remarks in a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during which they underscored the necessity to intensify international efforts toward a humanitarian truce in Gaza while securing uninterrupted delivery of food, medicine, water, and fuel to the besieged enclave.

The Jordanian king highlighted the pivotal role of the UN and its agencies in providing relief services for Gaza, calling for sustained support for the operation of international organizations in the war-torn enclave.

He reiterated that a political solution based on the two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict. 

ALSO READ: Relentless Gaza bombardment deadly to journalists, aid workers

Palestinians flee the Naser neighborhood following Israeli airstrike on Gaza city, Nov 8, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday declined any potential talks on post-conflict scenarios in Gaza, describing such discourse as "unrealistic and unacceptable," the state-run Petra news agency reported.

He made the remarks during a seminar attended by journalists and writers in the capital Amman, where he reaffirmed Jordan's priority of calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Safadi underscored Jordan's unwavering position against any "fragmented solutions" to the Gaza crisis.

He warned that dealing with issues in Gaza separately from that in the West Bank would "play into Israel's hands," which could potentially undermine the Palestinian cause and the Palestinians' aspirations for statehood.

The minister called for a comprehensive approach to the Palestinian cause, advocating for a political and just peace that ensures Palestinian rights and the establishment of their sovereign state based on the two-state solution.

Safadi reiterated the kingdom's firm rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands, equating it to "declaring war against Jordan that would be forcefully countered."