Leaders from the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Britain affirmed their support for Israel and its right to defend itself on Sunday. However, they also urged Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law and protect civilians. In a joint statement released after a virtual meeting regarding the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, the leaders welcomed Hamas's release of two hostages and called for the immediate release of all other detainees.
Biden had called for a meeting of the so-called P5+1 group, which includes the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Canada, after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These appeals came amid growing concerns that the war between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a broader conflict in the Middle East, as Israel bombards Gaza and clashes intensify along its border with Lebanon.
Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed in the statement to working closely together to support their citizens in the region, particularly those wishing to leave Gaza. They welcomed the arrival of the first aid convoys to Gaza and pledged to continue working with regional partners to ensure that the 2.2 million residents of the Gaza Strip receive food, water, medical care, and other humanitarian assistance "in a sustainable and safe manner."
The leaders also agreed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key regional partners, to "prevent the conflict from widening, maintain stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution to achieve lasting peace."
The White House indicated that Biden and Netanyahu discussed the arrival of the first aid convoys to Gaza and "confirmed that there will now be a continuous flow of this vital assistance." The two leaders also talked about efforts to free more than 200 hostages held by Hamas, including Americans. Biden also spoke separately with Pope Francis, discussing the need to prevent escalation in the region and work toward lasting peace in the Middle East. The Vatican stated earlier that the approximately 20-minute call "focused on the conditions of the conflict in the world and the necessity of establishing paths to peace."
