Baerbock calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Cairo (dpa) – Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on Israel and the Islamist Hamas to arrive at an agreement in their negotiations on a temporary ceasefire. “Only an immediate humanitarian ceasefire that leads to a permanent armistice will keep the hope for peace alive – among Palestinians and Israelis alike,” said Baerbock as she set off on a trip to Egypt and Israel. This is her sixth visit to Israel since the bloody terrorist attack on the country by the Islamist Hamas on 7 October 2023. 

Baerbock called on Hamas to lay down its arms. Hamas must never again inflict the terror of 7 October upon the people of Israel, she said. “This is not a goal that can be achieved by purely military means, however. And military action has its limits under international humanitarian law,” said the Minister, in a warning directed at the Israeli government. At the same time, she emphasised: “We stand by our responsibility for Israel’s security.” 

There was a link between the deaths of the people in Gaza and the suffering of the more than 100 hostages still being held captive by Hamas, said Baerbock. “The suffering must end for everyone.” The negotiations being conducted in Doha, the capital of the Gulf emirate of Qatar, must finally be productive, she said. The negotiations concern a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages. Another key point is the delivery of more aid supplies for the suffering population in the Gaza Strip.