Aid distribution in Gaza remains 'significantly insufficient', as per Berlin's latest statement.
The besieged Gaza Strip, still reeling from nearly 22 months of devastating war, is facing the threat of "widespread famine" according to the United Nations. As the situation remains critical, the German government is taking action to alleviate the emergency.
On August 2, 2023, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited the region, and the German army, along with other countries, began air-dropping supplies over the Gaza Strip. Nearly 14 tons of food and medical products were dropped in the first two flights. However, Stefan Kornelius, the government spokesman, acknowledged that the initial progress in the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip's population has been limited and very insufficient.
The German government is considering several sanctions options against Israel due to concerns about the humanitarian aid delivery situation in Gaza. These options include a partial suspension of weapons exports to Israel and the potential suspension of the European Union-wide association agreement that facilitates trade and cooperation between the EU and Israel. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned of the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza and has not ruled out reversing Germany’s traditionally close stance towards Israel by imposing sanctions or suspending the EU-Israel association agreement.
However, there is some domestic opposition to these measures. Germany’s human rights commissioner has defended the government’s current decision not to impose sanctions, preferring instead increased aid access to Gaza.
In a meeting of the German government's security cabinet on Saturday, different pressure options on Israel were discussed, but no decision was made. The German government expressed concern about reports that large quantities of humanitarian aid are being held by Hamas and criminal organizations in the Gaza Strip. Minister Kornelius urged Israel to ensure complete delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.
International agencies consider these aids insufficient, and the number of humanitarian aid deliveries allowed by Israel has "considerably increased" to around 220 trucks per day. Despite this, between 50 and 100% of these deliveries are diverted for military purposes by Israel's enemies.
The focus of this article is on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the concerns of the German government regarding the situation. While no sanctions have been imposed against Israel by the German government yet, a partial halt of arms deliveries to Israel is among the options being considered.
- The German government is deliberating on imposing sanctions against Israel, considering options such as a partial suspension of weapons exports, due to concerns about the humanitarian aid delivery situation in Gaza and the potential catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
- Despite the increased number of humanitarian aid deliveries allowed by Israel, a significant portion of these deliveries are diverted for military purposes by Israel's enemies, exacerbating the already critical situation in the Gaza Strip, a region still recovering from war-and-conflicts and facing the threat of widespread famine.
