After two years of bloodshed, after the barbaric attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the conflict in the Gaza Strip has been brought to an end, at least for today – said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a press statement following the signing ceremony in Egypt. “We are here in Sharm El Sheikh to sign a major document. This marks the beginning of a phase – at least we all hope as much – of peace and good co-operation in the region,” said Merz.

The Federal Chancellor addressed:

• Release of the hostages: He said he was relieved that the last 20 hostages, including four Germans, were released in the early hours of the morning. But the Federal Chancellor also noted: “Our thoughts are still with the victims. Many bodies have yet to be recovered from the Gaza Strip.” For many families, he said, it is also a day of mourning.
• Lasting peace: The Chancellor reiterated that Germany stands by Israel’s side. “That has always been the case, and it will always remain so,” said Merz, adding that this is precisely why the Federal Government also wants to help in the efforts to put in place the necessary conditions for lasting peace in the region.
• War in Ukraine: Merz also referred to the war in Ukraine, which has now been going on for three and a half years, declaring that it should not be forgotten. He said he is also counting on the continued support of the USA and wants to talk with President Trump about what can be done together to end this war.

Read the press statement here:

Federal Chancellor Merz: Ladies and gentlemen, today – 13 October 2025 – is a historic day. It will be an important day in the history books – for this region, but also for the whole world. The war in Gaza has been brought to an end. That is good news after two years of bloodshed, after the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023. It has been possible to end the conflict, at least for today. We are here in Sharm el-Sheikh to sign a major document. This marks the beginning of a phase – at least we all hope as much – of peace and good cooperation in the region.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped make this day and this conference possible today. First of all, I would like to thank Egypt’s President Al Sisi, who invited us to come to Sharm el-Sheikh. However, I would also like to express special thanks to American President Donald Trump for his initiative, his commitment and his clear stance in this conflict. The Emir of Qatar, with whom I have just conducted a lengthy exchange, also played a part, as did the Turkish Government. This is the result of wide-ranging efforts.

The German Government also played a role. The German Foreign Minister has been in the region several times in recent weeks and months. We now all hope that from this day forward, a process will begin that can bring durable stability and peace to the region — including lasting coexistence between the Palestinians and the State of Israel. The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Government stand by Israel’s side. That has always been the case, and it will always remain so. This is precisely why we are offering to help put in place now all the conditions needed for a lasting peace settlement in the region.

We are all very relieved that the last 20 surviving hostages, including four Germans, were released in the early hours of this morning. This is certainly a moment of great relief not only in Israel but also for many families in Germany. Our thoughts are still with the victims. Many bodies have yet to be recovered from the Gaza Strip. For many families, today is also a day of mourning and a day that brought them certainty about the fate of their loved ones. This will never be forgotten in these families, nor in the region.

As we say all of this today, it is also in the hope that the American President will now, together with us, exert on the Russian Government the same influence that he has exerted on the actors in this region. Because we must not forget that just a short flight away from here there is a war waged by Russia against Ukraine that has now lasted three and a half years. I would like to take the opportunity this afternoon to once again discuss with the American President, too, what we can together do to end this war. From this place, the message goes out that, when the international community of the world stands together, then it is possible. But it cannot be possible only in this place, it must also be possible in other regions of the world, and for us Europeans this war in Europe is the greatest threat to our freedom. That is why today, on the margins of this wonderful meeting, we will also discuss what contribution we can together make to ending this war as well. I don’t want to make any secret of the fact that we are also counting on the support – the lasting support – of the United States of America. The US has shown it in this region and must now show it together with us in Ukraine and in the face of Russia, too.

Nonetheless, on this day it is gratitude that prevails, as well as the feeling of great fortune at being involved in ensuring that such a conflict, which has cost so many innocent human lives, can now hopefully come to an end today. We are all going into the coming days and weeks with great confidence. Germany will do its part, and above all we see the humanitarian obligation to do everything we can in the coming days and weeks for the people who are still living there to be provided with adequate medical care and, above all else, to have a roof over their heads, to have water, to receive medical assistance wherever that is possible.

I thus stand here filled with profound gratitude. But as I return to Germany this evening, it will also be with great expectations – expectations of us ourselves, what we must do for a lasting peace to be reached, not only in this part of the world.

Thank you very much!