Today, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is currently in Japan with his G7 counterparts to initiate two days of diplomatic talks. At the forefront of their agenda is an appeal for unity regarding the Israel-Hamas war. Blinken emphasized the ongoing partnership between the US, Japan, and South Korea, which is also a key focus for the G7. Japan has set the agenda for the conference, which includes providing enduring support for Ukraine and combating economic coercion.
Additionally, they will discuss their engagement and support for countries worldwide as they tackle important issues such as climate change, global health, and food security. Senior foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer is reporting on Blinken’s visit from Tokyo. She notes that the Israel-Hamas conflict will heavily influence the G7 talks in Japan, as it is the first time the foreign ministers from the world’s wealthiest nations will discuss the conflict face-to-face.
However, there is not complete consensus among the G7 countries. France and Japan, in particular, continue to advocate for an immediate and sustained cessation of the war due to the mounting casualties in Gaza and increasing demands for a solution to the humanitarian crisis.
Secretary Blinken will face pressure to urge Israel to agree to a ceasefire and to begin considering possible solutions. Whileen has emphasized the importance of a united front from the G7, it remains unclear if concrete proposals will come out of the conference. The primary goal is to find common ground and ideally issue a joint communication at the conclusion of the talks, demonstrating their collective stance.
Behind the scenes, discussions will focus on the logistics of a ceasefire and the delivery of aid. One proposal involves using the Mediterranean island of Cyprus as a staging ground for a large-scale aid program to bypass the bottleneck into Gaza through the Rafah Crossing from Egypt. However, building a temporary port in Gaza for this purpose would require Israel’s permission, making it a politically complex endeavor.
Nevertheless, some European countries are eager to start discussions on this matter immediately..
