Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday that the situation in the Gaza Strip has become “unbearable” and he fears this could lead to the further diplomatic isolation of Israel.
What will be decisive is how quickly the situation in Gaza improves, the top diplomat told German public broadcaster ARD on its nightly news programme.
“The situation must fundamentally improve for the people in the Gaza Strip. The whole world is watching, and this threatens to put Israel in an increasingly difficult position,” he said.
He made similar remarks on the other public channel, ZDF, during its earlier news programme.
During his visit to Israel on Friday, Wadephul emphasized the immense pressure on the situation.
“We urgently need a ceasefire and an agreement on the release of the hostages,” he said. The international situation has escalated to the point where Israel is, unfortunately, finding itself increasingly isolated on the global stage.
“This cannot leave Germany indifferent,” he added.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the German government would soon decide on its next steps in the Gaza conflict. Speaking in Saarbrücken, Merz said he expected a report from Wadephul on Saturday regarding his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
When asked whether the government might consider participating in sanctions against Israel, Merz said: “One thing is clear to us: the situation there is unacceptable. It must be resolved as quickly as possible.”
The Gaza war was triggered by the unprecedented massacre on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas terrorists and other Islamists invaded Israel, killing around 1,200 people abducting more than 250 into Gaza.