Merz Engages Netanjahu in Efforts to Secure Gaza Ceasefire

In light of the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Israeli leadership is facing mounting criticism. The German Chancellor has expressed the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for the starving civilian population.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU recently communicated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu, emphasizing the necessity of improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza. A spokesperson for the German government, Stefan Kornelius, reported that Merz voiced significant concerns regarding the critical humanitarian situation. He urged Prime Minister Netanjahu to take all possible measures to promptly establish a ceasefire.

During the conversation, Merz called for immediate humanitarian aid to reach the starving civilians in Gaza. He stressed that the measures announced by the Israeli government need to be followed by substantial and swift actions.

In the coming days, the German government plans to collaborate with the E3 nations--France and the United Kingdom--along with other European partners, the United States, and Arab states to determine how best to contribute to alleviating the situation.

Previously, on Friday, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom had jointly released a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and for the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization in the coastal territory.

The government spokesperson reiterated that Germany does not currently consider the recognition of Palestine to be on the agenda. The German administration views such recognition as a final step toward achieving a two-state solution.