Italy will seek a common message at the G7 summit to reduce tensions in the Middle East

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ROME (AP) — Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven met Wednesday on the Italian resort island of Capri, with an agenda led by heightened tensions in the Middle East and the war Russia continues to wage in Ukraine.

Meeting during Italy’s presidency, G7 members were expected to make a joint plea to Israel to exercise restraint following the unprecedented Iranian attack over the weekend, in which Tehran launched hundreds of drones, missiles, ballistic and cruise ships to Israel.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had spoken on Tuesday with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, and had urged the country not only to de-escalate any reaction to the Iranian attack, but to cancel plans for an offensive on the city of Rafah. , in southern Gaza.

Speaking to state broadcaster RAI, Tajani said he hoped a similar message would be sent from the foreign ministers’ summit in Capri.

Israel’s war in Gaza is now in its sixth month, and Tehran’s attack increased the sense of urgency of the three-day summit. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made a last-minute visit to Israel before traveling to Capri on Wednesday evening.

“We will talk about how a new escalation with more and more violence can be avoided,” he said.

“What matters now is stopping Iran without encouraging further escalation,” said Baerbock, who called for new sanctions against Tehran.

Germany, a staunch ally of Israel, is among leaders in the European Union and Britain urging Israel to reduce tensions and not retaliate for Tehran’s attack, largely repelled thanks to assistance from the United States and others. allies.

Another priority issue is the war in Ukraine started two years ago by Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is invited to the meeting on Thursday. He is expected to reiterate his country’s need for essential military hardware such as artillery, ammunition and anti-aircraft systems as Russia undertakes offensives on the front lines.

The United States and several European countries are considering proposals to use profits generated by billions of euros of frozen Russian assets to help buy weapons and other funds for Ukraine, initiatives that have gained momentum at a time when Ukraine is facing dangerously short of ammunition and American efforts to raise weapons funds are stalled in Congress.

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Fatima Hussein in Washington and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.