Wadephul puts pressure on Israel and warns against isolation

"This is a completely unacceptable situation that must change immediately," said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) after talks with the Israeli leadership in Jerusalem. What was needed was a "fundamental improvement for the people in the Gaza Strip". Otherwise Israel would be threatened with international isolation.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and the American ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, will visit the Gaza Strip today to assess the situation there. According to the UN, famine is imminent in the sealed-off coastal region with around two million inhabitants. However, the Islamist Hamas only wants to continue the stalled negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war on the condition that the humanitarian situation there improves.

Wadephul for talks in the West Bank

Following his admonitions to the Israeli leadership, Wadephul is traveling to the occupied West Bank today for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Among other things, the meeting in Ramallah is likely to focus on the growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians living there and considerations in Israel to annex the territory.

The Knesset, the Israeli parliament, recently passed a resolution in favor of annexation, which met with considerable international criticism. The German government is also strictly opposed to such a move.

Germany holds back on sanctions

With regard to Gaza, Wadephul referred to discussions in the European Union about sanctions against Israel and the increasing willingness of several countries to recognize a Palestinian state. Unlike many other European countries, Germany has so far been reluctant to impose sanctions. Whether the German government will go along with this is also likely to depend on the results of the Foreign Minister's trip. Unlike France, Great Britain and Canada, for example, Germany has not yet considered recognizing a Palestinian state, according to Wadephul.

Meanwhile, Slovenia was the first European country to impose an arms embargo on Israel. "Today we did what the entire European Union should have done," announced Prime Minister Robert Golob on Facebook. "The Republic of Slovenia is the first European country to ban the export and transit of military weapons and equipment to and from Israel." However, as Slovenia is not one of the most important arms suppliers, the measure is seen as a symbolic act that is unlikely to have any practical impact.

Sharp criticism of the aid system and Israel's army

During their visit to the Gaza Strip, US special envoy Witkoff and US ambassador Huckabee want to inspect distribution centers for aid deliveries and draw up a plan for further deliveries. The aim is also to "learn more first-hand from the people there about the dramatic situation on the ground", explained White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

The distribution of aid by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by Israel, is highly controversial. Alongside Israel, the USA is also behind the foundation, which critics say does not provide anywhere near the same level of aid as was previously provided by the United Nations.

Most people seeking help can only reach the GHF distribution centers in the Gaza Strip by walking long distances, often through active combat zones. Israeli soldiers, who are supposed to secure the area, are also accused of repeatedly firing into the defenceless crowds. The army denies this, but according to UN figures, around 900 people have already lost their lives in this way.

Germany participates in aid operation from the air

In the coming days, Germany intends to once again take part in international efforts to supply the suffering population in the Gaza Strip with aid from the air. According to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), two Bundeswehr aircraft were already sent to the Middle East for this purpose at the beginning of the week. The planes were to be refueled and equipped for the missions in Jordan.

Since Sunday, aircraft from Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been dropping relief supplies from the air. Aid workers consider the supply from the air to be ineffective due to the relatively small quantities compared to truck transports. They also point out that dropped pallets could kill people on the ground.

Germany had already taken part in airdrops over the Gaza Strip last year. The new operation was approved by Israel. Nevertheless, Wadephul called on Israel to open border crossings into the war zone. Only by land could aid reach the people in sufficient quantities.

Hamas ties willingness to negotiate to conditions

In a statement this evening, Hamas declared its willingness to continue the stalled negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war - on the condition that the humanitarian situation in the coastal region must first improve. Under the current circumstances, continuing the talks would be pointless, it said.

Most recently, the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, in which the USA, Egypt and Qatar are mediating, have come to a standstill. According to Israeli and American accounts, the Palestinian terrorist organization had derailed the talks with excessive demands. As a result, the US and Israeli delegations were recalled from Doha to their respective capitals for consultations.

The last proposal on the table was for a 60-day ceasefire. During this time, Hamas was to release ten of the hostages still alive who are being held by the Islamists in the Gaza Strip. It is believed that 20 hostages are still alive.

The Gaza war was triggered by the unprecedented massacre by Hamas and other Islamists in Israel on October 7, 2023, when around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian figures, more than 60,000 people have died in the Gaza Strip during the almost 22 months of war.