This meeting marked the first dedicated defense summit of the G7, organized by Italy, which will hold the rotating chairmanship in 2024.

Despite calls for peace, Israel's military operations in Gaza continue, raising questions about adherence to international law.

The G7 joint declaration called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, warning against further escalation.

Defense ministers from the G7 countries convened in Naples, Italy, to address pressing international security issues and outline future collaborative goals.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized the deteriorating security landscape due to Russian aggression in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

As Ukraine approaches a third winter of war, G7 ministers expressed concerns about battlefield losses and the potential reduction of U.S. military support if Donald Trump is re-elected.

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu raised concerns about North Korea's growing ties with Russia amidst ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The G7 discussions also highlighted alarms regarding China's military support for Russia and its activities around Taiwan, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions.

The agenda included a session on recent attacks against UNIFIL, the UN's peacekeeping force in Lebanon, indicating a need for a stronger mandate from the UN Security Council.

Key attendees included NATO Chief Mark Rutte and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who underscored the urgency of addressing recent attacks on peacekeeping missions.

The meeting concluded with a statement addressing the irresponsible use of nuclear rhetoric by Russia amid ongoing tensions.

The summit is set to conclude with a press conference, summarizing the outcomes and future commitments made by the G7 ministers.