Germany halts export to Israel of arms that could be used in Gaza as global outcry grows
The German chancellor has indicated a significant shift in Berlin’s staunch support for Israel by stopping the export of military equipment that could be used in Gaza, as international partners condemned Israeli plans to take control of Gaza City.
Friedrich Merz issued a sharply worded statement signalling the reversal after several weeks of openly criticising Israel’s “unclear” policy goals in Gaza and the unfolding humanitarian disaster there but stopping short of concrete consequences in policy.
The German leader said Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas and press for the release of Israeli hostages, which he stressed was Berlin’s “highest priority” along with “resolute negotiations on a ceasefire”.
However, Merz said his government “believes that the even tougher military action in Gaza Strip decided on by the Israeli cabinet last night makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved. Under these circumstances the German government will until further notice not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip.” [Continue reading…]
The future of 1 million Palestinians hangs in the balance after Israel’s security cabinet approved a new ground offensive aimed at taking complete control of Gaza’s largest city in a decision that has triggered global outrage.
The plan put forward by Benjamin Netanyahu for Gaza City would entail a further escalation in the 22-month war and mean more mass displacements of an exhausted and starving population. It has yet to be endorsed by the full cabinet, expected to convene in the next few days, but there have been calls from around the world for the government to change its mind. Germany, Israel’s second-biggest arms supplier and strongest backer in Europe, on Friday suspended the delivery of weaponry that could be used in Gaza.
The proposal is also reported to have opened a deep rift between Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) leadership but has not been opposed by the Trump administration, Israel’s most important backer. [Continue reading…]
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration that Israel intends to take control of all of the Gaza Strip signals an escalation that flies in the face of some emphatic international warnings.
But it is one that, at least so far, the US government has greeted with a telling and collective shrug.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said it was “pretty much up to Israel” whether to fully occupy Gaza. And when asked the following day whether he was giving Israel a “green light”, he instead spoke about the US strikes on Iran earlier this year.
Washington’s Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee was even more direct – and his answer was that Netanyahu’s Gaza plan is not America’s concern. [Continue reading…]