European leaders and President Zelenskyy pursue dialogue with President Trump on Ukraine matters
In the heart of Europe, the German government is facing intense scrutiny and internal discord over the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, is under pressure to address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the region, with reports of mass casualties and widespread destruction.
The crisis has sparked discussions within the Chancellery, the seat of the German government, where prominent German politician Friedrich Merz is meeting with CDU deputies to discuss the current situation. There is discontent within the Union over the decisions of the Chancellor, with Merz leading the charge in trying to find a solution.
The crisis in Gaza is not just a concern for Germany. It is a topic of discussion among political leaders in several nations, including members of the European Union (EU) and allies such as Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK. Foreign ministers from these countries have issued joint statements demanding Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza.
On August 12, 2025, foreign ministers from 27 EU countries, along with allies, issued a joint call demanding Israel to halt the starvation of Palestinians and protect humanitarian space. They urged Israel to permit the entry of aid shipments and the operation of international NGOs, and called for a ceasefire to end the war, hostages' release, and unhindered land access for aid delivery. The statement explicitly condemned politicization of aid and use of lethal force at aid distribution points.
The EU has also responded to Israeli settlement expansion. On August 21, 2025, foreign ministers of multiple EU member states and allies condemned the Israeli Higher Planning Committee’s approval of settlement construction in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. They called it a violation of international law and warned it undermines prospects for a two-state solution, threatens stability, and should be reversed immediately.
The United Nations (UN) has reported dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. As of mid-August 2025, over 60,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, with heavy bombardment ongoing causing mass casualties and destruction. UN agencies, including UNRWA and OCHA, have been blocked from delivering humanitarian aid, including medicines, for over five months. Most of Gaza remains inside Israeli militarized zones or under displacement orders, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
The UN Human Rights Office has warned of "systematic destruction" of Gaza City amid continued Israeli military offensives and stresses the grave risks to civilians and infrastructure. The office has urged Israel to protect civilians and halt the destruction.
The EU, along with other nations, has expressed gratitude to the US, Qatar, and Egypt for pushing toward a ceasefire and peace process. They underscored the need for diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting and allow humanitarian relief.
Al Jazeera initially reported the death of Anas al-Shaikh during the crisis in Gaza, but the number of employees killed during the crisis, as reported by Al Jazeera, is now different. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, but the international community is urging for an immediate end to the suffering in Gaza.
As the crisis continues, the German Chancellery remains at the centre of discussions, with Friedrich Merz leading the CDU deputies in trying to find a solution. The operations of the German government are not running smoothly after 100 days in office, with the Chancellor facing pressure over the situation in Gaza. The current situation in Gaza remains a matter of concern for the international community.
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza is not just a subject of discussion among German politicians like Friedrich Merz and CDU deputies, but it is also a topic of general-news interest, with various political leaders around the world, including those from the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK, voicing their concerns and demanding action.
- The crisis in Gaza has sparked intense scrutiny not only within the German government, particularly the Chancellery, but also on the global stage, as evidenced by the joint statements issued by foreign ministers from 27 EU countries, along with allies, condemning the situation and calling for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and an end to the politicization of aid.
