During a pivotal meeting in Naples amidst escalating conflicts in the Middle East, defense ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations focused on the Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and strikes in Gaza following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Italy, currently presiding over the G7, included the conflicts in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine on the agenda, alongside security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
The ministers addressed the ongoing conflict in Lebanon and Gaza, which poses the risk of a widespread regional war.
The Israeli military continues its campaign against what it describes as the “Axis of Resistance” led by Iran, which includes Hezbollah and Hamas, along with other Iran-backed entities like the Houthis in Yemen and various Iraqi factions.
The G7 defense ministers also discussed the war in Ukraine, where Kyiv’s forces face challenging conditions on the eve of the third winter under Russian invasion. In June, the G7 approved a plan to use interest earnings on frozen Russian assets to lend $50 billion to Ukraine.
However, support for Ukraine shows signs of waning, and upcoming U.S. presidential elections could drastically change Washington’s policy toward Kyiv, especially if Republican Donald Trump wins.
