Germany will suspend the export of its military equipment to Israel, the Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, quoting that its weapons can be used in the Gaza Strip because Israel plans to take control of the city of Gaza.
Germany’s decision to stop military exports to Israel as a drastic change from its earlier attitude to support the country that is currently in the war with Hamas.
“The even more harsh military action of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved last night by the Israeli Security Cabinet, makes it more difficult to see how these goals are achieved,” the German Chancellor said in a press release.
“In these circumstances, the German government will not allow any military equipment exports that could be used in the Gaza band until the next announcement,” he added.
The German government said that “it was deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip”.
Why does it depend on the German decision?
Israel, since the beginning of his conflict with Hamas in Palestine, has largely enjoyed support from the political spectrum of Germany – a country that is still trying to redeem Hitler’s murder of more than six million Jews during the world II.
Support of Germany for Israel largely stems from the population of Jews in the country.
Among the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, which launched the war in Gaza and this year, Germany approved Israel’s exports of € 485 million ($ 565 million).
The deliveries included firearms, ammunition, parts of weapons, electronic equipment and armored vehicles, the government said in June.
In his statement, Merz reiterated that Israel had the right to defend himself from Hamas.
“Israel has the right to defend against Hamas’s terror. The release of hostages and effective ceasefire negotiations are our highest priority. The disarmament of Hamas is necessary. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza,” he said.
Calls are growing to re -evaluate the decision of Gaza
Nations and organizations around the world have expressed concern about the decision of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take control of the city of Gaza and stated that this would lead to further bloodshed.
The UN head for Human Rights Volker Turk said the plan must be “stopped” immediately.
Instead, Israel should allow a “full, unlimited flow of humanitarian aid” and the Palestinian armed group must unconditionally release the hostage, he added.
“The decision of the Israeli government to further expand its military operation in Gaza must be re -evaluated,” said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on X.
She called for a ceasefire, release all hostages and “immediate and unlimited approach” for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
“This action will do nothing to end this conflict or to help ensure the release of hostages,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer, adding that “only the bloodshed”.
(Tagstotranslate) Humanitarian aid
