Middle East, Merz: ‘Stop arms exports to Israel until further notice’

Rome, 8 August (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticised Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City and said that Germany will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza ‘until further notice’. "Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism. The release of hostages and the negotiations agreed for a ceasefire are our top priority. The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must have no role in the future of Gaza,‘ but ’the even tougher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved last night by the Israeli cabinet, makes it increasingly difficult, in the German government's view, to achieve these goals. Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," Merz said in a statement released by the German government.