Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has convened the Security Cabinet. The talks centred on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza region and the West Bank. “The discussions were characterised by immense seriousness, but also revealed great unity in the Federal Government’s stance on this conflict”, said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in his press statement after the discussions. 

The Security Cabinet is an informal body of the Federal Government headed by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It convenes when necessary to discuss current domestic or foreign policy issues. The members of the committee are the Federal Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Federal Minister of Defence, the Federal Minister of the Interior, as well as the Head of the Chancellery. If necessary, representatives of other ministries can also be consulted. 

According to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, there were three points of note for the Federal Government: 

• First, Israel had to immediately improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza comprehensively and sustainably. “The measures taken by Israel yesterday are an important first step in this direction”, emphasised the Chancellor. Further steps, he added, should follow quickly and, at the same time, no further expulsions from the Gaza Strip should take place.
• “Second: what is needed now is a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, not just a short-term one, and Hamas must finally clear the way for this.” In addition, he said, the hostages, including German nationals, had to finally be released.
• Third, there should be no further steps towards the annexation of the West Bank, said Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Federal Government considered the recognition of possible Palestinian independence “not as a first, but as one of the possibly final steps towards the realisation of a two-state solution.”

Further measures by the Federal Government 

In cooperation with Jordan, the Federal Government is immediately launching an airlift of humanitarian aid via Gaza. This, it was said, was being done in close coordination with France and Great Britain.

According to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Federal Government also wanted to continue discussions with both countries on conceptual developments in the region, “in particular on the future administration and reconstruction of Gaza once a ceasefire comes into force.” In coordination with the E3, the Federal Government would, he said, make arrangements for a reconstruction conference in Gaza.