G7 leaders highlight concern over Israel-Hezbollah tension

Iran-backed Hezbollah has engaged in escalating retaliatory operations with the Israelis, worrying leaders at a meeting in Italy

Leaders from the seven leading economies, plus the EU, meet in Puglia, Italy.

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Group of Seven leaders said they were very concerned by the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border, at a summit of the top western nations in Italy on Thursday.

After a session on the Middle East at the start of the two-day summit, officials said attention had focused on the border between Israel and Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah has engaged in escalating retaliatory operations with the Israeli army.

A senior US official said specific security arrangements were needed as the bloc acknowledged that a ceasefire in Gaza was not enough to secure peace in the region.

The meeting also endorsed US efforts to secure a ceasefire, according to a draft communique circulating at the summit in Puglia.

The US, France and Israel have agreed to work together to advance a roadmap presented by Paris this year to defuse tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"With the United States, we agreed on the principle of a trilateral (contact group), Israel, the United States and France, to advance on the roadmap that we proposed and we will do the same with the Lebanese authorities," Mr Macron said at the G7 leaders' summit.

Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a two-state solution, just weeks after the Israeli government lashed out at Spain, Norway and Ireland for recognising a Palestinian state.

They called on Israel to refrain from a full-scale offensive in Rafah, “in line with their obligations under international law”. The G7 consists of the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, France and Italy.

Pope Francis and national leaders take part in a working session during the G7 summit in Savelletri, Italy. AFP

US President Joe Biden applauds as he listens to Pope Francis. AP

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni welcomes Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Getty Images

Ms Meloni welcomes Jordan's King Abdullah II. EPA

Ms Meloni welcomes Pope Francis in Savelletri. AFP

Mr Biden and Ms Meloni meet for talks at the G7 summit. AP

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz receives birthday wishes from Mr Biden, European Council President Charles Michel, Ms Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the second day of the G7 summit. Reuters

Mr Sunak attends a meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PA

Mr Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrive in Savelletri to sign a security agreement on the sidelines of the G7 summit. AFP

From left, Mr Michel, Mr Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Mr Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Ms Meloni, Mr Trudeau, Mr Scholz and Ms von der Leyen arrive for a dinner at Swabian Castle in Brindisi. Reuters

Mr Macron speaks to journalists at the G7. AP

A skydiving demonstration at the San Domenico Golf Course. AFP

The leaders gather to watch a parachute drop at San Domenico Golf Club in Fasano. PA

Ms Meloni arrives at San Domenico Golf Club. Getty Images

Mr Sunak speaks with Mr Zelenskyy on the first day of the G7 summit. AP

Clockwise from bottom left, Mr Michel, Mr Scholz, Mr Trudeau, Mr Macron, Ms Meloni, Mr Biden, Mr Kishida, Mr Sunak and Ms von der Leyen at the summit. AP

Ms Meloni speaks with Mr Biden. AFP

The G7 world leaders pose for a group photo. Getty Images

Ms Meloni greets Mr Biden. Getty Images

Mr Macron is welcomed by Ms Meloni. AFP

Mr Scholz arrives. AP

Mr Sunak is greeted by Ms Meloni at Borgo Egnazia. Getty Images

Ms Meloni arrives on the first day of the G7 summit. Reuters

Mr Biden arrives at Brindisi airport. EPA

The EU fully supports US President Joe Biden's proposal for a ceasefire, said EU Council president Charles Michel.

The bloc's three priorities are an end to the war, more humanitarian access and a pathway to a two-state solution.

“There is one lesson learnt: security without peace is not security,” Mr Michel told reporters.

“It's a very dark situation but we feel the window of opportunity must be seized so that we can relaunch a serious political track to make a decision regarding a two-state solution.”

Mr Michel was speaking after attending an emergency humanitarian conference for Gaza held in Jordan earlier this week.

“It's important for the EU to be represented and active in those debates,” he said, adding that he planned to debrief G7 leaders about the conversations he held.

Mr Michel lamented the polarisation in Europe caused by the Gaza war.

“There is a high price that we pay,” he said. “First, this is paid by the people specifically in the region but there are terrible consequences for others.”

The EU is an unofficial eighth member of the G7.

Hamas has welcomed the ceasefire proposal, but insists any agreement must secure an end to the war, a demand Israel still rejects.

Israel described Hamas's response to the new US peace proposal as total rejection.

Mr Biden said "the biggest hang-up so far" to a deal on a Gaza truce and hostage release is the Palestinian militant group.

"I've laid out an approach that has been endorsed by the UN Security Council, by the G7, by the Israelis, and the biggest hang-up so far is Hamas refusing to sign on even though they have submitted something similar," he said.

Since a brief week-long truce in November, repeated attempts to arrange a ceasefire have failed, with Hamas insisting on a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Hamas had submitted an amended proposal with some minor changes that could be worked out, as well as others that were not in line with what Mr Biden had detailed or that had been embraced by the UN Security Council.

Mr Sullivan said Israel was standing behind the ceasefire proposal Mr Biden outlined in a May 31 speech, and that he had heard no Israeli leader challenge the deal.

A Palestinian walks among the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israel's military offensive in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. Reuters

The latest war started with a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage. The Israeli military response in Gaza has so far killed more than 37,200.

Mr Biden was expected to update G7 leaders on the ceasefire negotiations and how their countries could support the process, Mr Sullivan said, underscoring the broader implications for increasing tension between Israel and Lebanon.

Mr Biden would discuss “the increasing intensity and scope of the strikes by Hezbollah deeper into Israel, and including into civilian areas”, Mr Sullivan said, adding that a ceasefire in Gaza would help to bring calm to that region as well.

G7 leaders would also compare notes on what he called “the continuing threat posed by Iran, both with respect to its support for proxy forces, and with respect to the Iranian nuclear programme, where we continue to have grave concerns”.