German aid for Gaza

Since the Hamas terror attack of 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli military operation, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has become dramatic. The population faces acute food insecurity, many people are going hungry, and children are particularly affected.  “In Gaza there is currently an acute lack of food and medicines. For many people – including many children – it is about bare survival,” Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said at the beginning of August. Together with the European Union, Germany counts among the largest donors of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Since October 2023, the Federal Foreign Office has made available over 335 million euros for the occupied Palestinian territories, around 90 per cent of which has gone to people in Gaza. 

Combating hunger: food supplies, fuel and airdrops

In close coordination with the United Nations and international aid organisations, Germany is supporting the procurement, import and distribution of tens of thousands of pallets of basic foodstuffs such as flour, millet, rice, chickpeas and oil in order to address famine. Fuel is also being financed for community kitchens and bakeries. The World Food Programme (WFP) will receive up to 86.7 million euros for this purpose, while the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will receive 65.5 million euros. 

Since 1 August 2025, the Bundeswehr has also been participating in Jordan’s Operation “Solidarity Path” with two A400M transport aircraft. Food and medical supplies are being airdropped over Gaza for a period of three weeks. “Airdrops are only a small contribution to alleviating the suffering of people in Gaza,” Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X. “This is why we continue to work intensively to enable aid to reach them by land.”

Supporting clinics, securing drinking water

In addition to food supplies, German aid is focused on maintaining and strengthening basic health and supply structures. In order to ensure that the few hospitals still functioning remain in operation, Germany is providing patient monitors and defibrillators, delivering blankets and hygiene products, and supporting a field hospital in Gaza run by an international team of 30 specialists. Moreover, the Federal Government is funding organisations such as Oxfam (around 5 million euros) and CARE (just over 3.3 million euros) to build and operate desalination and water treatment facilities. These ensure access to clean drinking water and provide public washing facilities and toilets.

Protecting the displaced: emergency shelters and logistics

With 92 per cent of housing in Gaza now destroyed and many people displaced multiple times, the Federal Government is supplying emergency shelters, tents and basic equipment to provide protection for those who have lost their homes. During a ceasefire in January and February 2025, large amounts of accommodation material were brought into the Gaza Strip.

To ensure that aid actually reaches people in Gaza, the Federal Government is also investing in logistical solutions. These include the procurement of more than 30 trucks for relief transports, the securing of humanitarian corridors via Jordan and Egypt, and close coordination with the United Nations and other donors to facilitate access for humanitarian organisations.

Germany links aid with political leverage

This practical support is accompanied by intensive diplomatic efforts. The Federal Government is in continuous dialogue with Israel, international partners and aid organisations to ensure safe and unhindered access to Gaza. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated clearly that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is “unacceptable” and must be improved. In addition, Germany has suspended the delivery of arms to Israel in order to increase political pressure for humanitarian concessions. In this way, German engagement combines concrete aid on the ground with political leverage and international coordination – with the aim of providing swift, comprehensive and sustainable support for the people of Gaza. “We want to end the humanitarian suffering of Gaza’s civilian population as quickly as possible,” Federal Chancellor Merz declared.