Berlin halts military exports to Israel
Reaction to Israel’s decision to take control of Gaza City. Federal Chancellor Merz calls for purposeful negotiations on ceasefire.
Berlin (dpa) – Following the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to take control of Gaza City, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that no exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza war will be approved until further notice.
In recent weeks, the German government had repeatedly criticised Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. Now, for the first time, it is taking concrete steps against its friend and partner.
Merz emphasised that Israel had the right to defend itself against the Hamas terror. He said that the release of the hostages and purposeful negotiations on a ceasefire were Germany’s top priorities. Hamas needed to be disarmed and must not be allowed to play any role in the future of Gaza, he added.
“The German government believes that the Israeli army’s even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip decided upon by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved,” Merz said in a written statement. “Under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”