ALBAWABA - In a big change in policy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that Germany will stop sending military equipment to Israel that could be used in its current war in Gaza. He said this because of worries about Israel's new plan to take Gaza City.
Merz said that the halt would last "until further notice" because he was very worried about how the humanitarian situation in Gaza was getting worse. He made it clear that freeing Israeli prisoners and making progress toward a peace deal are still Germany's top objectives.
In a formal statement, Merz said, "It is getting harder to see how the Israeli military's current plan helps them reach their legitimate goals."
As a result of its planned military action in the city, the Chancellor said, the Israeli government is now more responsible than ever for keeping people safe in Gaza. He said again that Germany wants UN agencies and relief groups to be able to send food across the Gaza Strip without any problems.
Merz also told Israel that it shouldn't take any more steps toward annexing the West Bank, because that could make things even worse.
Germany has been one of Israel's best friends in Europe for a long time, so this move is a big change from their usual position. In June, the German government said that Berlin had given the go-ahead for €485 million (about $564 million) worth of weapons sales to Israel from October 7, 2023, to May 13, 2025.
The move shows that Europe is becoming more worried about Israel's military actions in Gaza and how the humanitarian situation there is getting worse.
Israel's Security Cabinet officially accepted a plan to take control of Gaza City, which would add to the country's already large military operation in the Gaza Strip, which has been going on for almost two years. The choice was made because of growing complaints at home and abroad over the amount of damage and the high number of civilian deaths.
