Germany Suspends Military Equipment Shipments to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
After the Israeli security cabinet authorized a plan to escalate the conflict, Berlin says it will stop sending military equipment that could be used in Gaza.
Shortly after the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the security cabinet had approved a plan to take control of the main city in the besieged Palestinian region, Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the announcement on Friday.
Netanyahu had stated a day earlier that Israeli forces were seeking to establish complete military control over the Gaza Strip in defiance of growing international censure of Israel’s conflict, which has resulted in a famine crisis and the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.
Merz emphasized that Germany could no longer overlook the growing number of civilian casualties while still supporting Israel’s “right to defend itself” and the release of Hamas-held prisoners.
“The German government finds it more and more difficult to see how these goals will be achieved in light of the even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, which was approved by the Israeli cabinet last night,” he said.
According to an Israeli government statement issued late Friday, Netanyahu spoke with Merz and said he was disappointed by the armaments decision. It further stated that it believes Germany is failing to back Israel’s “just war” and instead favoring Hamas.
Since it will probably require the mobilization of thousands of soldiers and the forcible removal of people, which would almost surely worsen the humanitarian crisis, the timing of next significant Israeli ground operation is still uncertain.
As Israel continues to put harsh limitations on humanitarian food shipments, Gaza health authorities reported that 201 individuals, including 98 children, have died from starvation during the conflict in Gaza.
Merz called on Israel to grant humanitarian organizations, such as the UN and NGOs, complete and ongoing access so they can aid people.
“The Israeli government is even more accountable than ever for meeting their needs in light of the planned offensive,” Merz continued.
Additionally, he cautioned Israel from annexing the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli parliament passed a symbolic resolution in July that called for the West Bank to be annexed.
Source: Al Jazeera and other mediaoutlets
