Germany Suspends Military Equipment Exports to Israel Due to War on Gaza

SadaNews - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday that his country has decided to suspend military equipment exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, until further notice.

Germany is the second largest exporter of military equipment to Israel after the United States, which is considered a harsh blow from one of its biggest supporters in Europe.

Merz stated that negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages are our top priorities.

He added: I am still deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in Gaza.

He urged the Israeli government not to take any further steps towards annexing the West Bank.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced early Friday morning that the security cabinet has approved the imposition of military control over the Gaza Strip.

Zeebit Maler, a prominent lawmaker in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition, called for considering the possibility of imposing sanctions on Israel, including a partial suspension of arms exports or suspending a political agreement at the EU level, amid international pressures regarding the continued entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Maler, who serves as the deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party's parliamentary group, wrote a letter to party MPs after returning from a trip to Israel with Foreign Minister Johan Wadifel last week.