G7 foreign ministers discussed plans to reduce tensions in the Middle East.

The G7 foreign ministers held a telephone conversation on the situation in the Middle East, the US State Department reported. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his G7 counterparts discussed the “urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East.”

The ministers discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel to free hostages and allow humanitarian access to Gaza. They also considered the possibility that a ceasefire in Gaza could contribute to peace and stability in the region.

The secretary and ministers stressed the importance of Israel's security and called on all sides to exercise restraint to avoid escalation. In recent days, citizens of several countries have been advised to leave Lebanon because of the threat of fighting between Iran, Hezbollah, and Israel following the killing of a Hamas leader by a missile strike in Iran. The United States expects Iran to retaliate against Israel as early as Monday.

The US has decided to send a carrier strike group, fighter jets and additional warships to the region.