Middle East conflict
The Federal Government views the renewed escalation in the Gaza Strip with great concern. A ceasefire must be swiftly reinstated and strictly enforced. Hamas is urged to release all hostages. The goal must be to end the war.
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Protesters in Israel: The Federal Government’s thoughts are with the hostages still in captivity and their families.
Photo: Mostafa Alkharouf / Anadolu via AFP
Hamas launched an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, firing thousands of missiles. Some 1,200 people were killed, and more than 200 hostages were taken, including individuals with German citizenship. “On the morning of 7 October, Israel woke up to a nightmare.” This is how Federal Chancellor Scholz described the callous attack by the terrorist organisation Hamas on Israel. The suffering of the population on all sides is immeasurable, and the number of civilian casualties enormous, especially in the Gaza Strip.
Hope for ceasefire after agreement
Ever since the Hamas attack on Israel the Federal Government has persistently campaigned for a ceasefire. Federal Chancellor Scholz welcomed the agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, among them German nationals. “The agreement must now be implemented consistently on a step-by-step basis: ultimately, all hostages have to be released,” demanded the Federal Chancellor.
The longer the war lasted, the more obvious it became that while Israel had achieved many of its military goals in its fight against Hamas, the number of civilian victims and the suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense. Even after the first phase of the ceasefire comes to an end, it is essential to ensure that the residents of the Gaza Strip continue to receive reliable humanitarian and medical aid[HS1] . The Federal Government stands ready to provide further support.
Talks must now be held swiftly to secure the second phase of the ceasefire. A renewed escalation after the hard-won truce must be avoided at all costs. The goal must be a lasting end to the war. For this reason, Scholz emphasised: “Hamas is called upon to lay down their weapons once and for all. The Hamas terror must stop.”
The Federal Government’s thoughts remain with the hostages still in captivity and their families. Following the death of a German-Israeli mother and her sons, the Federal Chancellor stated on X: “Hamas has inflicted suffering and death on countless families. My thoughts are with all those who now have to come to terms with this terrible certainty.”
Foreign Minister Baerbock: “We must not let this opportunity pass us by”
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock likewise welcomed the agreement on a ceasefire: “The ceasefire has the potential to be a first step towards a genuine political process” and “we must not let this opportunity pass us by”. A negotiated two-state solution remained the only solution that would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace, security and dignity, said the Minister.
Support for the ceasefire in Lebanon
The Federal Government also continues to view with great concern the escalation of the Middle East conflict in Lebanon, in which numerous innocent civilians have been injured or killed. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah of November 2024 also offers hope, and this must now be implemented further: “It is crucial for everyone to stick to what has been agreed on so that those on both sides of the border can live in safety again,” said the Federal Chancellor.
Foreign Minister Baerbock reaffirmed Germany’s support for the Lebanese army and the people of Lebanon. The Lebanese army is now tasked with taking full control of the area south of the Litani River and ensuring stabilisation on the border with Israel.
The Federal Government stands firmly with Israel
In his government statement issued on 12 October 2023, the Federal Chancellor stated clearly: At this moment there is only one place for Germany: alongside Israel.” Germany’s history and the responsibility arising from the Holocaust made it Germany’s perpetual duty to stand up for the existence and security of Israel, said Scholz. The Federal Government is acting in accordance with this principle. On the same day, the Bundestag expressed its cross-party solidarity with Israel.
Since the attack on Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas, the Federal Government has been working hard to ensure that the situation does not escalate into a crisis that affects the entire Middle East. The Federal Government is holding numerous talks aimed at defusing the situation and working to secure the release of all hostages taken by Hamas, as well as to ensure that more humanitarian aid reaches the Gaza Strip.
The Federal Chancellor travelled to Israel and the region twice in this connection, Minister of Foreign Affairs Baerbock has paid numerous visits to Israel, also holding talks in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, Defence Minister Pistorius and Minister of Education Bettina Stark-Watzinger have also visited the region to gain an impression of the situation and hold talks.
Increasingly, the key issue here is to find a long-term perspective for Gaza, since terrorism cannot be countered by military means alone. If a lasting ceasefire can be achieved, questions related to matters such as administration and reconstruction will be addressed in the third phase. The Federal Government welcomes initiatives for rebuilding the Gaza Strip,
and is convinced that a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to bring about a sustainable resolution of the Middle East conflict. This must apply to Gaza and the West Bank, and a central role must be assigned to a reformed Palestinian Authority.
Two-state solution: Germany firmly believes that only a negotiated two-state solution that is acceptable to both sides can lead to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Negotiations will be pivotal in terms of bringing about an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state – side by side in peace and security with Israel.
One thing is clear: fighting Hamas is a legitimate goal. However, this does not justify the great number of civilian victims: “We cannot stand idly by and accept the risk of Palestinians starving,” the Federal Chancellor urged.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic. Even after the first phase of the ceasefire comes to an end, it is essential to ensure that the residents of the Gaza Strip continue to receive reliable humanitarian and medical aid. It must therefore be made possible for aid and goods to be brought to Gaza once again.
At the same time, the planned talks on phase 2 must be held, since the ceasefire offers the chance of a lasting end to the war and an improvement of the poor humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. For this reason, Germany was ready to provide comprehensive support to the UN organisations on the ground, said Foreign Minister Baerbock.
The Federal Government is already one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid and development cooperation in the Palestinian territories, and it recently stepped up these activities. Germany has also helped by providing aid supplies by air and sea, such as by means of special flights with relief supplies for the civilian population of Gaza and deliveries by ship from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip . Food was also delivered by means of air drops.
Aid for the Palestinian territories: The Federal Government provides humanitarian aid to help those in urgent need. The aim is to give people the chance to live in dignity and security and to ease suffering. Development partnerships have a different goal: here the aim is to achieve long-term and sustainable improvements in social, environmental and political conditions. For decades, Germany has been one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid and development cooperation for the Palestinian territories.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will continue its development cooperation with the Palestinian territories in line with ongoing developments.
Care must be taken at all times to ensure that aid supplies do not fall into the hands of Hamas, which is why the Federal Government conducted a full review of its development cooperation activities. There were no signs of supplies being abused by terrorist organisations: the existing control mechanisms have proven robust.
Nonetheless, the BMZ will continue to investigate suspected cases and respond consistently to any violations. For this reason, following accusations levelled at UNRWA in Gaza, the BMZ and the Federal Foreign Office have continued to pursue their cooperation after carrying out a comprehensive and independent review.
The fate of the hostages abducted by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and their liberation is a key issue for Federal Chancellor Scholz and the Federal Government.
The Federal Government is in talks with all parties involved to promote the implementation of the ceasefire and hostage agreement: “The agreement must now be implemented consistently. All hostages must be released. The mortal remains must also be handed over to the families so as to enable a dignified farewell,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz.
The aim of the government’s diplomatic efforts is to help de-escalate the situation in the Middle East. Germany is acting on its pledge to stand firmly by Israel in other ways, too. Among other things, Defence Minister Pistorius decided to provide Israel with medical materials, and also to return two drones to Israel that had been leased to Germany for Federal Armed Forces training.
At the same time, however, it is clear to the Federal Government and its partners that Israel must adhere to the provisions of international humanitarian law in its self-defence. The number of civilian victims and the suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense, and far more must be done to protect the civilian population and civilian infrastructure. This is why the Federal Chancellor and the Israeli Prime Minister are repeatedly discussing the efforts required to maximise protection of civilians.