Merz: peace in Gaza “within reach”
After Israel, Hamas too has at least partly endorsed Trump’s peace plan. Federal Chancellor Merz is now urging both sides to act swiftly.
Berlin (dpa) – Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has welcomed the latest developments in the Middle East conflict and has called for an immediate halt to the fighting. “Peace in Gaza and the release of the hostages are within reach,” he said following the decision by the Islamist Palestinian organisation Hamas to back parts of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
Merz stressed that the Federal Government supported Trump’s appeal to both sides. The US President had responded to Hamas’s statement by urging an end to airstrikes on the Gaza Strip to allow Israeli hostages to be freed.
“The fighting must stop at once. The hostages must be released,” Merz added. “Hamas must lay down its arms. All of this now has to happen very quickly.” After nearly two years of war, he said, this was “the best chance for peace”. Germany would continue to play its part, he added.
Following Trump’s call to halt bombardments in order to secure the hostages’ release from Hamas captivity, the Israeli army appears prepared to shift course.