Middle East escalation benefits no one – G7 foreign ministers

The G7 foreign ministers have sounded the alarm on the escalating tensions in the Middle East, cautioning that the current trajectory risks plunging the region into a devastating conflict with far-reaching consequences.

“Actions and counter-reactions risk magnifying this dangerous spiral of violence and dragging the entire Middle East into a broader regional conflict with unimaginable consequences,” they warned in a statement following their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly.

The G7 ministers are urging all parties involved to break the destructive cycle of retaliatory violence and work towards de-escalation. They emphasized that further escalation would benefit no one, reiterating that “no country stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.”

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In their joint statement, the ministers expressed deep concern over the heightened tensions in the region, which threaten to ignite a broader conflict.

They called on all parties, both in the region and beyond, to contribute positively to collective efforts to reduce tensions and prevent further destabilization.

The situation in Lebanon has been dire, with reports indicating that over 111,000 individuals have been displaced from South Lebanon due to the ongoing hostilities. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has reported a total of 2,412 casualties, including 564 deaths, with at least 133 civilian deaths confirmed.

The humanitarian situation remains critical, with access to safe drinking water affected for over 200,000 people due to damage to water stations.

The UN has continued to call for adherence to international humanitarian law, safeguarding civilians, and facilitating humanitarian access to those in need.