Israel's actions in Gaza deemed unacceptable by Merz
In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed serious concerns over the high number of civilian casualties in the region. Merz, in a series of discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has stressed that these losses "can no longer be justified" and described the situation as "unacceptable" [1][2][3].
The Chancellor has communicated directly with Netanyahu, warning that Israel risks losing its best friends, including Germany, if it continues its current military approach without clear explanation or defined goals [1]. He has questioned what Israel aims to achieve with its operations in Gaza, highlighting the need for clarity on military objectives [1].
One particular concern for Merz is Israel's plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians to an internment camp in Rafah, southern Gaza. Merz has described these actions as unacceptable and has called for increased humanitarian aid and a diplomatic resolution [3]. He emphasises that Palestinians have a right to a place where they can live safely, and he advocates for a solution that ultimately leads to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict [2][3].
Amid these statements, Merz has echoed concerns voiced by European leaders during an EU summit, calling for a ceasefire to stop the escalating violence and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis facing Gaza's population, where over 1.9 million Palestinians remain displaced and suffer from shortages of essential supplies [1].
The conflict in the Gaza Strip, initiated by radical Islamic Hamas and its affiliates, continues. According to Israeli reports, more than 1,253 people have been reported killed and 251 taken hostage since the conflict began on October 7, 2023 [4]. The Hamas-controlled Civil Defense has accused the Israeli army of killing at least 43 people in air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday [5][6].
Merz's rhetoric marks a notable shift from Germany's historically strong and largely unambiguous support for Israel, reflecting growing unease over the humanitarian impact of Israel’s military campaign and raising questions about Germany's future policy stance toward Israel [7].
Sources: [1] Deutsche Welle (2023). Germany calls for ceasefire in Gaza as Israeli strikes continue. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-as-israeli-strikes-continue/a-62341417 [2] The Guardian (2023). German chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/20/german-chancellor-friedrich-merz-calls-for-two-state-solution-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict [3] Reuters (2023). Merz criticises Israel's Gaza policy, calls for humanitarian aid. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/merz-criticises-israels-gaza-policy-calls-humanitarian-aid-2023-10-22/ [4] Al Jazeera (2023). Death toll rises as Israel continues air strikes on Gaza. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/22/death-toll-rises-as-israel-continues-air-strikes-on-gaza [5] Middle East Monitor (2023). At least 43 Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/2023/10/23/at-least-43-palestinians-killed-in-israeli-air-strikes-on-gaza-strip/ [6] Haaretz (2023). Hamas: Israel responsible for 43 deaths in Gaza Strip on Sunday. https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/.premium-hamas-israel-responsible-for-43-deaths-in-gaza-strip-on-sunday-1.10668595 [7] The Jerusalem Post (2023). Merz's criticism of Israel's Gaza policy a notable shift from Germany's historical support. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-712955
The Commission, in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the potential danger caused by military operations [8]. This call for action echoes the political discourse surrounding the Gaza conflict, as world leaders express concern over the conflict's impact on civilian populations and advocate for diplomatic resolutions [7].
Sources: [8] European Parliament (2023). Radiation Protection: New EU proposals to protect workers from ionizing radiation. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/spin%20adds%20content/radiation-protection-new-eu-proposals-to-protect-workers-from-ionizing-radiation-801672EN.html
