Germany Urges Israel Immediate Humanitarian Aid Gaza Amid UN Famine

Lars Castellucci, the German government’s representative for human rights and humanitarian aid, has called on Israel to immediately improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza ahead of his planned visit to the region. He condemned the severe suffering endured by civilians, especially children, and emphasized that increased German humanitarian aid is ineffective if it does not reach those in need. Despite Germany’s historical support for Israel, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stance has shifted in response to the worsening crisis, with the United Nations having declared a famine in Gaza affecting 500,000 people. Castellucci reaffirmed Germany’s responsibility for Israel’s security and urged the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas, while also advocating for a ceasefire and a two-state solution. The conflict escalated after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken, with Israel’s military response causing tens of thousands of Palestinian fatalities, mostly civilians according to Gaza health ministry data considered credible by the UN. The ongoing blockade and military actions have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leading to calls for urgent and comprehensive action in line with international law and humanitarian principles.