Germany Halts Military Exports to Israel Over Gaza Operations

The German government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has suspended all arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip in response to Israel's planned expansion of military operations in the region. This decision reflects Germany's concern over the humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza and the displacement of approximately one million Palestinians expected from the intensified military campaign. While Germany supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, it urges restraint, prioritizing the release of Israeli hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire. Chancellor Merz also warned against further steps toward annexing the West Bank and emphasized that Hamas should not have a future role in Gaza. The suspension marks a significant shift for Germany, the second-largest arms supplier to Israel after the U.S., and comes amid international condemnation from other countries such as the UK and Finland. Despite the suspension, U.S. President Donald Trump supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip.