Germany stops the export from weapons to Israel that may be used in Gaza. The decision follows after the Israeli safety cabinet had announced plans for the occupation of Gaza City.
The German bondselier Friedrich Merz wants Israel to give priority to freeing the hostages and takes a seat at the negotiating table to arrive at a ceasefire. He emphasizes that Hamas should not play a role in the future of Gaza, but that the intake of Gaza City will not contribute to that.
Furthermore, the Chancellor is very concerned about the persistent suffering of the Palestinian citizens in the Gaza Strip. That is why he calls on Israel to allow direct humanitarian aid in the area.
Germany is known as a loyal ally of Israel. Earlier, the country changed its tone against Israel and threatened it with measures, but they have not been done so far. Germany is also cautious in the EU. For example, a plan from the European Commission to put Israel out of the Horizon program received too little support, because Germany, among others, was against. Horizon is a subsidy scheme for research, from which Israel receives hundreds of millions every year.
The Israeli security cabinet announced on Friday morning that a majority voted for the occupation of Gaza City. The plan states that all Palestinian Gaza city must have left for an Israeli ground offensive before October 7.
Gaza City is the largest city in the Palestinian area, located in the north. Hamas probably holds Israeli hostages there. According to Reuters , there are fifty hostages, of whom twenty would be alive.
Both domestic and international criticism of plans
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can count on a lot of criticism, both from the Israeli opposition and his own army top and from abroad. The army top said earlier that it is a bad idea to start an offensive in Gaza city, because it would endanger the lives of the hostages. The opposition speaks of a “disaster”.
The Dutch outgoing minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs) calls it a “wrong step” and calls for a ceasefire. “The humanitarian situation is catastrophic and requires immediate improvement,” he writes on X.
Belgium has summoned the Israeli ambassador to say that the country is the opponent of the Israeli decision. “Although it is legitimate to want to destroy the terrorist group Hamas, this should not be done through disproportionate operations that will further extend the already very long list of Palestinian civilian victims,” says the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk says that the new policy is contrary to the assignment of the International Court of Appeal in The Hague to terminate the occupation in Gaza as quickly as possible. “Everything indicates that further escalation will lead to more forced movements, more dead, more unbearable suffering, meaningless destruction and cruel crimes,” he says.
The Red Cross also speaks of “gigantic consequences” for the people in Gaza. According to the aid organization, more than 800,000 people in Gaza city have to move to densely populated areas in the south of the Gaza Strip.
“People are already exhausted, anxious and seriously malnourished,” writes a spokesperson. “Now they are forced to look for a new ‘home’, in a place where there is no room anymore, let alone a roof above your head.”
Germany is Halting The Export of Weapons to Israel That Could Be Used in Gaza. The Decision Follows The Israeli Security Cabinet’s Announcement of Plans to Occupy Gaza City.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Wants Israel to Prioritize the Release of the Hostages and Take A Seat At The Negotiating Table To Reach A Ceasefire. He Emphasizes That Hamas Should not play a Role in the Future of Gaza, But That the Capture of Gaza City Will not Contribute to this.
Furthermore, The Chancellor is very concerned about the continued suffering or Palestinian Civilians in the Gaza Strip. He Therefore calls on Israel to Allow Direct Humanitarian Aid Into the Area.
Germany is Known As a Staunch Ally of Israel. Earlier, The Country had Already Changed its tone Against Israel and Threated Measures, But Theshave So Far Failed to Materialize. Germany is also reluctant in the EU. For example, a plan by the European Commission to Remove Israel from the Horizon Program Received Too Little Support, Partly because Germany was Against It. Horizon is a subsidy scheme for research, from which Israel Receives Hundreds of Millions Annually.
The Israeli Security Cabinet Announced on Friday Morning That a Majority had Voted in Favor of the Occupation of Gaza City. The Plan States That All Palestinians Must Have Left Gaza City Before October 7 For An Israeli Ground Offensive.
Gaza City is The Largest City in the Palestinian Territory, locationed in The North. Hamas is believed to be holding Israeli Hostages there. Accordance to Reuters , there are fifty hostages, or whom twenty are said to be still alive.
Both Domestic and International Criticism of Plans
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Faces a Lot Of Criticism, Both From The Israeli Opposition and His Own Army Leadership, As Well as From Abroad. The Army Leadership Has PreviOutly Said That It Is A Bad Idea to Start An Offensive in Gaza City, because it would ender the lives of the hostages. The Opposition Speaks of A “Disaster.”
The Dutch Caretaker Minister Caspar Veldkamp (Foreign Affairs) Calls It A “Wrong Step” and Calls for a Ceasefire. “The Humanitarian Situation is Catastrophic and Requires Immediate Improvement,” He Writes On X.
Belgium has Summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Tell Him That the Country Opposes The Israeli Decision. “Although It is legitimate to want to destroy the terrorist Group Hamas, this should not be done through disproportionate operations that will further extend the already very list of Palestinian Civilian prévot,” Says Belgian Foreign.
Un Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Says the New Policy is a contrary to the International Court of Justice in the Hague’s order to end the occupation in Gaza As Soon as Possible. “Everything Indicates That Further Escalation Will Lead to More Forced Displacements, More Deaths, More Unbearable Suffering, Sensess Destruction and Cruel Crimes,” He says.
The Red Cross also Speaks of “Gigantic Contheques” for the people in Gaza. Accordance to the Aid Organization, More than 800,000 people in Gaza City Must Move to Densely Populated Areas in the Southern Gaza Strip.
“People are already exhausted, scared and severely malnourished,” writes a spokesperson. “Now they are forced to look for a new ‘home’, in a place where there is no more space, let alone a roof over your head.”