Efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza were the focus of discussions at the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers’ meeting held near Rome. The talks, which took place in Fiuggi, brought together top diplomats from the world’s leading economies, marking the final meeting of G7 foreign ministers before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani highlighted that all G7 members were united in their support for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza. “We are all in favour of a ceasefire in both scenarios (Gaza and Lebanon),” Tajani said during the meeting.
In a notable development, foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and the Arab League Secretary-General — collectively known as the ‘Arab Quintet’ — participated in the discussions for the first time. The Quintet has been collaborating with the US to develop a post-conflict plan for Gaza, with increasing urgency as Trump is expected to adopt a policy more favorable to Israel. Tajani and other diplomats expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon,” Tajani stated. “Let’s hope it’s true and that there’s no backing down at the last minute.”
Tajani also announced that Italy was ready to take on a more active peacekeeping role in Lebanon to help enforce any potential ceasefire. “Italy is fully willing to play a leading role, provided there is agreement from the Lebanese side,” he said.
All diplomats at the meeting condemned the attacks on UN peacekeepers and suggested establishing a double buffer zone along the Lebanese-Israeli border. This would include “UNIFIL troops operating under revised rules of engagement from the border to the river, and Lebanese troops deployed north of the river.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated that Israel is “moving forward” on a ceasefire with Lebanon but cautioned that the process would take time. “There will be a few stages, a few requirements,” Danon said. “The most important condition for us is the withdrawal of Hezbollah from north of the Litani,” he added. “We said from the beginning that that will be our goal in this war. Then there will be other stages in the agreement.” Regarding the UN’s involvement, Danon emphasized that while the UN itself would not be part of the agreement, the presence of UNIFIL troops was still vital. “We are grateful for that,” he concluded.
