Germany has suspended all mili-tary exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza after Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City, an escalation in the 22-month war.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz an-nounced the decision on Friday, shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office con-firmed the security cabinet voted in favour of a plan to seize the largest city in the besieged Palestinian territory.
A day earlier, Netanyahu had de-clared that Israeli forces were aim-ing to take full military control of the entire Gaza Strip despite mounting international condemna-tion over Israel’s war, which has killed tens of thousands of people and caused a starvation crisis.
“Under these circumstances, the German government will not au-thorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” Merz said.
While continuing to back what he called Israel’s “right to defend it-self” and the release of captives held by Hamas, Merz stressed that Germany could no longer ignore the worsening toll on civilians.
“The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli cabi-net last night, makes it increasingly difficult for the German govern-ment to see how these goals will be achieved,” he said.
The timing of another major ground operation remains unclear since it will likely hinge on mobilis-ing thousands of soldiers and forcibly removing civilians, almost certainly exacerbating the humani-tarian catastrophe.
Gaza health authorities said 197 people, including 96 children, have died of malnutrition during the war in Gaza as Israel continues to im-pose severe restrictions on supplies of humanitarian aid. A United Nations-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding in the enclave.
Merz urged Israel to allow full and sustained access for humanitarian groups, including the UN and NGOs, to help civilians.
“With the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility than before for providing for their needs,” Merz added.
He also warned Israel against any steps towards annexing the occu-pied West Bank.
In July, the Israeli parliament ap-proved a symbolic measure calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
From October 2023 to May this year, Germany issued arms export licences to Israel worth 485 million euros ($564m), making it one of Israel’s key military suppliers,
ac-cording to figures from the German parliament.
Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli army “will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing hu-manitarian aid to the civilian popu-lation outside the combat zones”.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
