Berlin alters its strategy in the Gaza conflict
In a significant shift in policy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced the suspension of all weapons and military equipment exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza. This decision comes in response to Israel's announced plan to occupy Gaza City, a move that Merz criticised for complicating the achievement of Israel's stated goals and increasing humanitarian suffering.
The German government's stance shows strong support for Israel’s right to self-defense but also grave concern over Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Merz emphasised the need for Israel to ensure comprehensive access for aid deliveries to the civilian population in Gaza.
On August 8, 2025, Merz announced the halt to all weapons and military equipment exports from Germany to Israel that could be used in Gaza, marking a partial arms embargo in response to the offensive. The German government stresses the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including starvation and famine among civilians, and calls for Israel to allow comprehensive aid access for UN and humanitarian organisations.
Chancellor Merz and Chancellor Olaf Scholz have reiterated Germany’s historical responsibility to stand with Israel but emphasise the need for a ceasefire and humanitarian de-escalation. However, the Central Council of Jews in Germany, led by Josef Schuster, criticises Merz's announcement, stating it endangers Israel's existence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the German government of rewarding the Islamic Hamas with a partial arms export ban.
Regarding the opposition parties in Germany, the search results do not provide explicit detailed positions, but German political discourse generally features support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself balanced with calls for humanitarian considerations and international law compliance. Criticism of Israel’s harsh military tactics and calls for ceasefire and aid access are also common.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) had warned against the annexation of the West Bank or the Gaza Strip during a recent visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. He believed his message had been understood on the Israeli side at the time.
It is unclear which specific military goods Germany will no longer supply to Israel, and whether this will impair the Israeli army's ability to wage war. The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a plan for this occupation after hours of deliberations, following the Hamas massacre and other extremists from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and about 250 abductions. The Israeli government has set five principles for ending the war in the Gaza Strip, including the disarmament of the Islamic Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil supports Merz's approach, calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza as quickly and comprehensively as possible. The Young Union expresses sharp criticism, labeling it a break with Union policy. The opposition, including the Green Party and the Left Party, believes the federal government’s policy shift does not go far enough and calls for further steps, such as active push for a political process, suspending the EU association agreement, and recognizing Palestine.
Netanyahu's office stated that he expressed his disappointment with this decision in a conversation with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This news article provides a clear and concise account of Germany's decision to suspend military exports to Israel and the reactions from all parties involved, maintaining factual accuracy and staying faithful to the given information.
[1] The Guardian [2] Deutsche Welle [3] BBC News [4] Reuters [5] The Jerusalem Post
- The German government's decision to halt weapons and military equipment exports to Israel, particularly those that could be used in Gaza, is a part of a broader news narrative that includes war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice.
- As general-news outlets report, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's announcement of the suspension is followed by reactions from various parties, including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Central Council of Jews in Germany, opposition parties, and foreign media such as The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, BBC News, Reuters, and The Jerusalem Post.
- In light of the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and the associated humanitarian crisis, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's announcement of car-accident-related aid access for the civilian population in Gaza has become a significant point in crime-and-justice and general-news discussions.
