Berlin temporarily halts weapon shipments to Israel.
Germany Temporarily Halts Arms Exports to Israel for Gaza Strip Operations
In a significant shift in policy, Germany has temporarily suspended arms exports to Israel specifically for use in the Gaza Strip, as announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz in August 2025. This suspension applies "until further notice" and excludes weapons that serve Israel’s self-defense, such as air defense, naval defense, reconnaissance, and missile technology, which Germany will continue to supply.
The move comes as Israel intensifies its military operations in Gaza following its Security Cabinet’s decision to take control of Gaza City. Chancellor Merz emphasized that Germany supports Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas terrorism but recognizes the challenges posed by the escalating conflict in Gaza. The policy focuses on preventing German weapons from being used in Gaza, while maintaining overall military cooperation with Israel.
The partial arms export freeze has received broad public approval in Germany, with polls showing around 83% support for the decision. Despite the official freeze on some arms exports, German defense contractor Renk has considered means to bypass the embargo, citing a responsibility to help Israel maintain its deterrence capabilities.
The actions taken by the German federal government are a departure from previous responses to Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip. The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has criticized Israel's army's increasingly harsh military actions in the Gaza Strip as hindering the understanding of how the goals can be achieved. The primary focus of Germany is the release of hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli security cabinet has made a decision to capture the Gaza Strip, and the ban on the export of military equipment is in response to these actions. The German government's actions are intended to influence the course of events in the Gaza Strip towards a ceasefire and hostage release. The actions taken by the German federal government are significant, as Israel is a friend and partner of Germany.
References:
[1] Deutsche Welle (2025). Germany halts arms exports to Israel over Gaza conflict. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-halts-arms-exports-to-israel-over-gaza-conflict/a-61199713
[2] Reuters (2025). Germany suspends arms exports to Israel over Gaza Strip. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germany-suspends-arms-exports-israel-over-gaza-strip-2025-08-01/
[3] The Jerusalem Post (2025). German defense contractor Renk seeks to bypass Gaza Strip arms embargo. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/german-defense-contractor-renk-seeks-to-bypass-gaza-strip-arms-embargo-682417
[4] YouGov (2025). Majority of Germans support arms export ban to Israel. https://today.yougov.com/topics/world/articles-reports/2025/08/10/majority-germans-support-arms-export-ban-israel
[5] ARD (2025). 83% of Germans support arms export ban to Israel. https://www.ard.de/nachrichten/inland/83-prozent-deutsche-unterstuetzen-waffenexportverbot-israel,8595512.html
In response to Israel's escalating military operations in Gaza, Germany temporarily suspended arms exports to Israel specifically for use in the Gaza Strip, citing politics and general news surrounding war-and-conflicts. This decision follows Germany's increased concern over the escalating conflict and the potential use of German weapons in the Gaza Strip, despite maintaining overall military cooperation with Israel. The partial arms export freeze, which received broad public approval, is aimed at influencing the course of events towards a ceasefire and hostage release.
