“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 has said.

The issue of humanitarian pauses in the conflict was raised at a working dinner attended by ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union on Tuesday, Reuters quoted host Japan as saying in a statement.

G7 foreign ministers are set to issue a joint statement on the Israel-Hamas escalation today and are expected to call for temporary pauses in fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.

The G7 has appeared to struggle to agree on a firm, united approach to Israel’s offence on Gaza, raising questions over its relevance as a force to tackle major crises.