German Chancellor: Halting Arms Exports to Israel is a Response to Plans to Expand Operations in Gaza

SadaNews - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarified that Berlin's decision to halt arms exports to Israel was in response to its plan to expand operations in the Gaza Strip.

In an interview with the German Broadcasting and Television (ARD), he stated, "We cannot provide weapons in a conflict that is currently occurring through military means only; we want to help diplomatically, and we are doing that."

Merz remarked, "Expanding the scope of Israeli operations in Gaza could cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians and would require the evacuation of the entire city of Gaza."

He questioned, "Where are these people supposed to go? ... We cannot do that, we will not do that, and I will not do that."

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's plans to expand its military control over the area have prompted Germany to take this unprecedented and risky step.