Athens, 14 June 2024 (Anadolu News)

The G7 leaders on Friday announced they are united in supporting an “immediate cease-fire” in the Gaza Strip.

“We are united in supporting the comprehensive deal that has been put forward, that would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and a credible pathway towards peace that leads to a two-state solution. We also call for a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian assistance,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

On May 31, Biden said that Israel presented a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan includes a cease-fire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Turning to Africa, the leaders said they are advancing efforts to invest in sustainable infrastructure on the continent and have launched the Energy for Growth under Africa initiative with numerous African partners.

Regarding developing countries, they stressed the correlation between poverty reduction and tackling global challenges.

They vowed to make it possible for the World Bank to increase lending by $70 billion while also encouraging the international community to address the debt burden.

Turkish official news agency Anadolu reported today that Metropolitan Council of Izmir in Western Turkiye has unanimously approved granting status of Izmir City as Sister City of Gaza, Palestine.

The decision was made during a regular city council meeting of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, presided over by Mayor Cemil Tugay. The proposal, which received unanimous support from all political party groups, aimed to strengthen solidarity with Gazans while also showing support for the enclave.

Speaking at the council meeting, Tugay expressed his satisfaction with the decision, saying: "We will stand by the city that is subjected to oppression; this is what suits us." "After going through the legal process, if Gaza also agrees, we will sign a sister city protocol with the enclave," he said.

"My heartfelt wish is for the attacks there to stop as soon as possible, for peace to be established, and for the rights of the people of Gaza and Palestine not to be violated in any way," he added.

Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Over 37,300 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and over 85,100 others injured, according to local health authorities.