G7 expected to call for temporary pause in Gaza fighting

The foreign ministers for G7 countries are set to issue a joint statement on the war in Gaza on Wednesday, with expectations that they will call for temporary pauses in fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

"We hope to be able to present a united G7 position on the situation in the Middle East in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement, which we understand is currently being coordinated," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would consider "tactical little pauses" but has rejected calls for a ceasefire. Biden said on Tuesday that he held a phone with Netanyahu on Monday, where the US president called for a humanitarian pause.