German Chancellor Merz Urges Netanyahu for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire, Humanitarian Aid

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urgently called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to the starving civilian population. In a phone conversation, Merz expressed deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, emphasizing that aid must reach civilians quickly, safely, and in sufficient quantities amid severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel. The Israeli military has announced daily tactical pauses in fighting to allow humanitarian corridors for UN and NGO convoys to enter Gaza. Germany, a major arms supplier to Israel and a key international player, is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with European, American, and Arab partners to explore ways to improve conditions. While the German government acknowledges Hamas started the conflict in October 2023, it maintains that recognizing a Palestinian state is a final step toward a two-state solution and not currently on the agenda. The humanitarian crisis has been worsened by Israel's blockade, which has restricted aid entry for nearly five months, leading to widespread warnings of mass starvation among Gaza's 2.4 million residents.