G7 and EU raise tone against “threats” targeting peacekeepers in Lebanon

G7 defence ministers and the head of European diplomacy demanded on Saturday in Naples respect for the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which accuses Israel of deliberately targeting its positions since the escalation of violence with the Lebanese Islamist movement last month.

Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the group of seven most developed democratic countries, had included on the agenda of this one-day meeting the crisis in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The defense ministers of the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy discussed the escalation in the Middle East on Saturday morning, where the Israeli army is continuing its operations against the Lebanese Hezbollah and its strikes in Gaza despite the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinouar.

Also present in Naples were NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell.

The latter said during a press briefing that the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinouar in Gaza, the mastermind of the unprecedented attack launched on October 7, 2023 in Israel by the Palestinian Islamist movement, opened up “a new perspective” with a view to a ceasefire.

“This should be an opportunity whereby an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages can be reached. And that would open the door to more humanitarian aid,” he said.

Several world leaders have expressed hope that the death of Yahya Sinwar will pave the way for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. US President Joe Biden has seen it as an opportunity for “a path to peace” in the Middle East.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto (R) and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin shake hands during the welcoming ceremony of a G7 Defense in Naples, Italy, on October 19, 2024 © AFP – Tiziana FABI

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that the death of the Hamas leader, one of the Israeli government's goals since October 7, “does not mean the end of the war in Gaza, but the beginning of the end.”

Israeli strikes on Gaza continue, as do military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which opened a front against Israel on October 8, 2023.

After nearly a year of border firefights with Hezbollah and after weakening Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army moved the front of the war to Lebanon in mid-September.

– UNIFIL under fire –

On this point, the G7 ministers expressed their “concern over all threats to the security of UNIFIL”, the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, without however mentioning Israel. “The protection of peacekeepers is the responsibility of all parties to a conflict,” they insisted in a joint statement issued at the end of the summit.

UNIFIL, made up of about 9,500 soldiers from more than 50 countries, accused the Israeli army of “deliberately” firing on its positions, injuring several.

The Israeli military says it was not targeting peacekeepers, but the incidents have sparked international criticism. With a thousand soldiers, Italy is the second largest contributor to UNIFIL.

Josep Borrell suggested strengthening UNIFIL's mandate, without specifying the outlines of such a reform which requires, he recalled, “a decision by the United Nations Security Council”.

“They cannot act autonomously, it is clearly a limited role”, he noted.

The G7 Defence Ministers also looked at Ukraine, at a time when kyiv, soon to face its third winter of war, is struggling to cope with the Russian invasion.

They reaffirmed their “unwavering support for the freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as long as it is necessary”, stressing their “intention to continue providing assistance to Ukraine, including military, in the short and long term”.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto (R) and his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu shake hands during the welcoming ceremony of a G7 Defense in Naples on October 19, 2024 © AFP – Tiziana FABI

The G7 approved in June a $50 billion loan program for kyiv, drawing on the profits from interest on frozen Russian assets.

But Western aid is showing signs of weakness everywhere and the United States, in the event of a Donald Trump victory in the November presidential election, could radically review its policy.

The G7, the ministers also indicated, “supports Ukraine on the irreversible path of its Euro-Atlantic integration, including its entry into NATO.” In presenting his “victory plan” this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the Atlantic Alliance to invite kyiv to it.

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