Blinken rallies Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy to condemn Hamas, urge hostage release

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rallied members of the Group of Seven, which represents the major democracies of the world, to condemn Hamas and its invasion of Israel.

"All parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers," said the statement, hammered out by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy. "We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and the release of hostages."

The G7 meeting comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening with Israel’s continued ground invasion forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee south on foot, running out of food and water in the north.