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Germany ceases all exports of arms designated for use in Gaza

By Molly Parks August 8, 2025 | updated 1 day ago

Germany’s government will indefinitely halt all military equipment exports that could be used in Gaza, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday.

The statement comes after the Israeli Security Cabinet agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza City, a plan that makes it more feasible for Netanyahu to achieve his original objective of a gradual occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. 

Merz said Israel “has the right to defend itself against Hamas’ terror,” and insisted Germany’s priority is a ceasefire negotiation and the release of the Israeli hostages Hamas took during its brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israel. 

“The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved last night by the Israeli Security Cabinet, makes it increasingly difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be achieved,” Merz said in his statement. “Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”

Merz said the German government is “deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering” of Gaza civilians and flagged that the Israeli government “bears even greater responsibility” for delivering the needs of Gaza civilians with the planned offensive to occupy Gaza City. 

“It must allow comprehensive access for aid deliveries, including for UN organizations and other non-governmental institutions,” Merz said in the statement. “Following the correct steps taken in recent days, Israel must continue to comprehensively and sustainably improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”

Germany’s stance comes after worldwide reaction to images and reporting out of Gaza on the deteriorating humanitarian situation there. On Thursday, the European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera told Politico that Israel’s actions in its war in Gaza look “very much” like genocide.

As the Washington Examiner reported Thursday, Ribera’s stance had served as the polar opposite of the approach Germany has taken to its relationship with Israel. Germany, in reparation for the holocaust, has long been a vehement supporter of Israel.

On Tuesday, a German official told Politico that the country’s “unyielding stance” was a positive influence on the Israeli government’s approach to Gaza humanitarian aid. On Thursday, an official said that positive developments in Israel’s humanitarian aid approach to Gaza “became clear” during a “very long and very good” phone call between Merz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

ISRAELI CABINET GREENLIGHTS NETANYAHU PLAN TO OCCUPY GAZA CITY

Now, with Merz’s statement on Friday, Germany is taking a more resistant stance. The chancellor concluded his statement discussing the West Bank.

“Furthermore, the German government urgently calls on the Israeli government to refrain from taking any further steps toward annexing the West Bank,” Merz said.

Netanyahu spoke with Merz after the decision to “express his dissapointment,” according to the Prime Minister’s office.

“Instead of supporting Israel’s just war against Hamas, Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by embargoing arms to Israel,” the office told Axios in a statement. “Netanyahu said that Israel’s goal is not to take over Gaza, but to free Gaza from Hamas and enable a peaceful government to be established there”

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