Release of hostages and ceasefire in Gaza
After more than two years of war in Gaza, there is now a ceasefire. The last hostages are free. Germany stands up for Israel - and will continue to do its part to ensure that the path to peace succeeds.
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On the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to commemorate the victims.
Photo: picture alliance/dpa
After two long years, the last hostages held captive by Hamas are free once more. "At last. After 738 days, the hostages are back - including some Germans. Two years of fear, pain and hope lie behind them. Today, families can finally embrace their loved ones again," wrote Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz on X.
The murdered hostages must also now return home so that their families can say goodbye with dignity. "This day is a beginning: the beginning of healing and a step on the road to peace in the Middle East," said the Chancellor.
Thanks to the US government and partners in the region
The Federal Chancellor took part in the signing ceremony in Egypt for peace in Gaza. "This day, 13 October 2025, is a 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 conflict has been successfully brought to an end, at least for now, said the Chancellor. “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 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.
Germany will continue to provide its support
The Federal Chancellor and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul are in close dialogue with Germany's partners. Germany will continue to play its part in ensuring that the path to peace succeeds - as the Chancellor emphasised in a statement on the ceasefire in Gaza on 10 October.
Chancellor Merz has declared seven points in this regard:
- Germany is ready to assist with the medical and psychological care of the released hostages over the next few days.
- The Federal government will immediately provide additional funds for humanitarian aid totalling 29 million euros. Further measures will follow.
- Together with Egypt, Germany will organise an international reconstruction conference for Gaza, which will focus on the most urgent needs such as rebuilding infrastructure for water and energy, and for healthcare facilities.
- Germany is prepared to assume responsibility in the Peace Council proposed by President Trump.
- Part of the peace plan is that Palestinians will be able to govern the Gaza Strip themselves in the future. Germany will therefore help facilitate the urgently needed reform process in the Palestinian Authority.
- The Federal Government will endeavour to strengthen EU missions to support border protection and to support the Palestinian civil police force and its judiciary.
- A lasting peace will have to be secured by an international stabilisation mission that is recognised by all parties. The Federal government wants to help create the legal framework for such a presence, for example through a Security Council resolution.
The Federal Government stands firmly with Israel
The Federal Government is following a clear compass - Federal Chancellor Merz has also made this clear. "Germany supports Israel's existence and security. We are convinced that the two-state solution offers the best prospect of a future in which Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and safety."
Germany has high hopes for the peace process and firmly supports President Trump's peace plan. "If the first important steps towards peace go smoothly, it will be a great success. We must then build on this," said the Chancellor. It is important that the ceasefire holds and that humanitarian aid reaches the people in Gaza.
7 October 2023 has inflicted deep wounds
7 October 2025 marked the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. More than 1,000 Israeli citizens died and 250 were abducted as hostages. The Chancellor in a video message : "7 October 2023 has inflicted deep wounds. It has gone down in the history books of the Jewish people as a black day."
Federal Government deeply concerned about the suffering in Gaza
"Israel has the right to defend itself against the terror of Hamas" - Merz made this clear in a statement on developments in Gaza at the beginning of August. At the same time, the Federal government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The human suffering on all sides is now immeasurable.
Criticism of settlement projects
The Federal Government is in favour of a negotiated two-state solution. However, the Chancellor made it clear that recognising a Palestinian state was not currently on the table. For Germany, this could only be one of the final steps on the way to a two-state solution. 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 right to exist and its security. This is part of the unchanging nature of German-Israeli relations. It is an expression of lasting historical responsibility, said Chancellor Merz in his telephone conversation with Israeli President Itzchak Herzog.
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.