Top G7 diplomats discuss post-war Gaza

(Patria) - G7 foreign ministers are discussing at a two-day summit in Tokyo how to revitalize Middle East peace efforts and the "day after" in the Gaza Strip once the conflict there ends, Reuters reported.

The topic was raised during a working dinner late Tuesday, according to a statement from host Japan, and the Group of Seven (G7) will continue discussions today on Israel and Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and China. The statement did not provide details on the options being discussed if Hamas is ousted from Gaza. Israel has been vague so far about its long-term plans for Gaza.

In some of the first direct comments on the subject, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Israel would seek to have security responsibility for Gaza "indefinitely".

However, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told the Wall Street Journal that Israel wants the territory to be under an international coalition, including the United States, the European Union, and majority Muslim countries, or to be governed by local political leaders.

Diplomats in Washington, the United Nations, the Middle East, and elsewhere are considering options. Discussions include deploying multinational forces to post-war Gaza, a temporary Palestinian-led administration that would exclude Hamas politicians, bringing security and governance roles to neighboring Arab states, and temporary UN oversight of the territory.

G7 foreign ministers are expected to issue a statement today that mentions the crisis between Israel and Gaza. The statement will present the G7's "unified stance" on the situation in the Middle East, said Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

It is expected to include a call for humanitarian pauses, temporary breaks in fighting to allow aid into Gaza. The G7 group comprises the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, with the European Union also participating in the talks.