Middle East
The ceasefire in Gaza is stabilising. We must now succeed in realising the second phase of the peace plan. Germany stands up for Israel – and will continue to do its part to ensure that the path to lasting peace succeeds.
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Germany, Europe and Israel stand for dialogue and partnership.
Photo: Federal Government / Tobias Koch
Following the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023, Germany clearly and firmly stood by Israel. In the meantime, the ceasefire in Gaza has stabilised and a lasting peace is possible. "I wish the Israeli people that a better time will now begin after difficult years of terror and war," said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his inaugural visit to Israel. "That decisions are made that contribute to peace and good neighbourliness in the region." Germany and he personally would stand by Israel's side in deep friendship.
First visit to Israel
The Federal Chancellor travelled to Israel on 6 and 7 December 2025 for talks with President Itzchak Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After the traumas of war, the foundations must be laid for a new order in which Israelis, Palestinians and Arab neighbours can live in lasting peace, freedom, security and dignity, the Chancellor said in a joint press conference with Netanyahu.
The talks also centred on the US peace plan for Gaza. The Chancellor emphasised that after the release of the living and dead hostages by Hamas, it must be possible to enter the second phase. This includes permanently removing the basis for Hamas' terror. Hamas should no longer play a role in Gaza. In addition, the precarious humanitarian situation of Gaza's civilian population must be improved quickly and noticeably.
Thanks to the US government and partners in the region
After more than two years of war, a ceasefire was agreed for Gaza in October 2025 thanks to the mediation of US President Donald Trump. The Federal Chancellor took part in the signing ceremony for peace in Gaza in Egypt on 13 October 2025. "This day, 13 October 2025, is an historic day," said Chancellor Merz on the ground. The war in Gaza is over – after two years of bloodshed, and after the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
The Chancellor thanked US President Donald Trump and the US government for the peace initiative, their commitment and unequivocal position in this conflict, and the partners in Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for their mediation. Thanks are also due to the Israeli government, which has paved the way for peace. Read the full text of the press statement here. In a statement on the ceasefire , the Chancellor emphasised that Germany would continue to play its part in ensuring that the path to peace was successful. The Federal Government has high hopes for the peace process and strongly supports President Trump's peace plan.
Fearing for the hostages with Israel
During his inaugural visit to Israel, the Chancellor also recalled the fate of the victims of the terrorist attacks, the hostages and their relatives. "We mourned the dead with the Israeli people. We feared for the hostages with you," said the Chancellor. "The return of the last surviving hostages, among them German nationals, has touched us and also made us happy."
After 738 days, the last living hostages were released from Hamas captivity. The peace plan also provided for the bodies of the murdered hostages to be handed over so that their families could say goodbye with dignity. More than 1,000 Israeli citizens died in the Hamas attack and 250 were taken hostage. "7 October 2023 has torn deep wounds," said the Chancellor.
Federal Government deeply concerned about the suffering in Gaza
"Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its citizens and its existence against those who repeatedly deny the right of the democratic Jewish state to exist," the Chancellor declared during his visit to Israel. No state can tolerate its citizens being murdered, kidnapped and tortured by Islamist terrorists. That is why Germany stands by Israel. At the same time, people in Gaza continued to live in very precarious circumstances. Germany is providing humanitarian support here.
Criticism of settlement projects
The Federal Government is in favour of a negotiated two-state solution. The Federal Chancellor emphasised that the recognition of a Palestinian state was at the end and not the beginning of the process. Nevertheless, the Israeli government should not make it impossible for such a state to emerge one day. The Federal Government has urged the Israeli government not to take any further steps towards annexing the West Bank.
Lasting historical responsibility
Germany supports Israel's existence and security. This is part of the unchanging nature of German-Israeli relations. According to Chancellor Merz, it is an expression of lasting historical responsibility. "That applies to today, that applies to tomorrow, and that applies forever."
History of the Middle East conflict: one of the central disputes in the Middle East is the unresolved conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. After the end of the British Mandate over Palestine, Ben Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel on 14 May 1948. Since then, there have been repeated armed conflicts with neighbouring countries. These conflicts are also about the future of an independent state for Palestinians.
Two-state solution: The Federal Government remains convinced that only a negotiated two-state solution will bring lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. It continues to view the recognition of a Palestinian state as one of the final steps on the way to achieving a two-state solution. The Federal Government is continuing its aid to create the conditions for Palestinian statehood. This includes support for the Palestinian Authority.
Since the attack on Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas, Germany has been working hard to ensure that the situation does not escalate into a crisis that affects the entire Middle East.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul last travelled to the region on 5 October 2025, holding talks in Qatar and at the Gulf Cooperation Council in Kuwait. In Israel, Wadephul met with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to discuss the implementation of the US peace plan. He made it clear that Germany would continue to support the negotiations, the release of all hostages and the improvement of the situation in Gaza.
Foreign Minister Wadephul had already held talks with the Israeli government during his inaugural visit to Israel. There he met Prime Minister Netanyahu among others, as well as relatives of hostages abducted by Hamas, and travelled to Palestinian territories. “We condemn Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 in the strongest possible terms, and support Israel in ensuring its security. It is Israel's right to defend itself against this terror," Wadephul stated before travelling to Israel.
At the end of July, Wadephul travelled to Israel and the Palestinian territories again at the decision of the security cabinet to discuss the dramatically worsening situation with his dialogue partners. The goal remains lasting and sustainable peace, on the condition of a negotiated two-state solution. The German Foreign Minister emphasised that this was the only realistic prospect that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in security and dignity in the future, and the only chance for lasting peace in the region.
During his recent trip to the region to mark the 60th anniversary of German-Israeli relations, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also got a feel for the situation and held talks.
Increasingly, the future prospects for Gaza are also at stake - because terror cannot be fought by military means alone. If a ceasefire can be made permanent, issues such as administration and reconstruction will have to be addressed. The Federal government welcomes initiatives to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
One thing is clear: fighting Hamas is a legitimate goal. At the same time, however, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip must be radically improved. Deliveries of aid and goods to Gaza must therefore be facilitated and the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip must continue to be supplied with humanitarian and medical aid.
In August 2025, in cooperation with Jordan, the Federal Government organised an airlift of humanitarian aid over Gaza - in close coordination with France and the UK. Air force transport planes dropped a total of 717 pallets containing just under 381 tonnes of urgently needed relief supplies - mainly food and medical supplies.
The Federal Government is making the scope of future support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) dependent on comprehensive reforms.