G7 officials back Lebanon in Israel-Hezbollah conflict, reiterate calls for Gaza ceasefire

A joint statement read by Italy’s defence minister on Saturday expressed support for the Lebanese Armed Forces in “their essential and indispensable role for the protection, security and stability of Lebanon” amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hezbollah militants. Reading the statement aloud during the annual G7 conference – held in Naples this year – Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the sentiment was backed by all other G7 nations, too: the U.K., Canada, Germany, France, Japan and the U.S.