G7 foreign ministers said on Wednesday that they support “ceasefires and humanitarian corridors” in the war between Hamas and Israel but refrained from calling for a ceasefire.

The group also said after talks in Japan that its support for Ukraine in its war with Russia "will never waver," while calling on China not to support Moscow in the conflict.

A joint statement said: “We emphasize the need for urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza… We support a humanitarian ceasefire and corridors to facilitate urgently needed aid, the movement of civilians, and the release of hostages.”

The ministers also affirm “Israel's right to defend itself and its people in accordance with international law in its efforts to prevent a repeat” of Hamas’s devastating attacks on Israel on October 7.

The war broke out after an attack by Hamas on Israeli towns and communities near the Gaza Strip, which saw about 3,000 fighters crossing the border by land, air, and sea, resulting in the killing of about 1,400 people and the taking of more than 240 hostages.

Amid concerns about the potential widening of the conflict, the G7 joint statement added: “We call on Iran to refrain from supporting Hamas and from taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including supporting the Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors, and to use its influence on those groups to calm regional tensions.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the G7 statement said: "Our steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine's struggle for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity will never waver."

It added: "We also call on China not to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, to pressure Russia to stop its military aggression, and to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

The ministers also said they "welcome China’s engagement in the peace process led by Ukraine."

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joined the G7 meeting via video.

Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said that "even with rising tensions in the Middle East, it is important for the G7 to unite in sending a clear message to the international community that our firm commitment to supporting Ukraine will never waver."

As the war there approaches its third year and the Ukrainian counteroffensive struggles to make gains on the ground, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regularly meets with Western leaders to try to avoid conflict fatigue.

Ukraine is preparing for a second full winter of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, and similar strikes last year by Russian forces left thousands without heating or electricity in freezing temperatures.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said earlier, "It is clear, especially at this moment, that some (parties) around the world are closely watching how we continue to support Ukraine."