Germany’s Merz announces Gaza aid airlift, mulls over upping ante on Israel
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Displaced Palestinians waiting for food at a charity kitchen in Gaza City on July 23.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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- Germany will launch an immediate humanitarian airlift to Gaza with support from France and the UK in response to the "catastrophic" situation.
- Germany is considering increasing pressure on Israel, including potentially suspending the EU pact, and will reassess after talks with Netanyahu.
- Germany will coordinate with regional partners, Britain, and France to prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference and prevent further expulsions.
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BERLIN - Germany will immediately launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza as it considers stepping up pressure on Israel over the “catastrophic” situation in the enclave, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on July 28.
As the death toll from almost two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying
Germany, together with the United States, has long remained one of Israel’s staunchest allies and largest arms suppliers. US President Donald Trump said on July 28 that many people were starving
The German security Cabinet convened for more than two hours on July 28 to discuss the situation, Mr Merz told a news conference in Berlin. While it welcomed Israel’s announcement of a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza as an “important first step”, it agreed more must follow.
Asked if the Cabinet discussed sanctions like suspending the European Union pact governing relations with Israel, a move Germany has in the past rejected, Mr Merz said it had discussed what options were available.
“We are keeping such steps on the table,” he said.
Before making any decisions, however, he was set to try to speak with Mr Netanyahu later on July 28 and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul would travel to the region on July 31, possibly together with his British and French counterparts.
The German government would then reassess the situation over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Berlin would do what it could to help alleviate the humanitarian situation, launching an airlift in cooperation with Jordan to deliver aid into Gaza.
“Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will closely coordinate with France and the UK, who are also willing to provide such an airlift for food and medical supplies,” said Mr Merz. “We know that this can only provide very limited help for the people in Gaza, but it is nonetheless a contribution we are eager to make.”
Germany would also prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in coordination with regional partners, Britain and France, he said.
“No further expulsions from the Gaza Strip must occur.”
German officials say their approach to Israel is governed by a special responsibility, known as the Staatsraison, arising from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust.
They have long believed they can achieve more through diplomatic backchannels than public statements.
But Mr Merz has come under growing pressure in recent weeks, including from within his own coalition, to take a firmer stance on Israel, and faced broad criticism for failing to join a statement last week by dozens of Western nations condemning the “inhumane killing” of Palestinians. REUTERS
