Wadephul briefed the cabinet on the security situation in the Middle East - Security Advisor Wadephul Discusses Middle Eastern Situation with National Security Council
The German Federal Government and its Security Cabinet held a meeting on Monday to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, stated that the Government is considering steps to increase pressure on Israel due to the ongoing crisis.
The Security Cabinet's discussion focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip, specifically in the context of the Middle East. Reports indicate that large quantities of aid goods are being withheld by Hamas and criminal organizations in the region, a concern shared by the Federal Government.
However, the Security Cabinet's discussion did not explicitly mention the involvement of Hamas or criminal organizations in withholding aid goods as a direct cause for the insufficient amount of aid reaching Gaza. The current stance of the German Security Cabinet and Federal Government regarding humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip is one of strong concern about the insufficient amount of aid reaching the region and active efforts to increase and facilitate humanitarian access.
Germany is already providing assistance by airlifting relief goods from Jordan to Gaza and advocating for the possibility of delivering supplies by road, which is considered essential for sufficient aid volumes. Foreign Minister Wadephul and Chancellor Merz have repeatedly emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian ceasefires and safe access for aid delivery, calling on Israel to ensure safe and effective distribution.
The German government condemns Hamas for initiating the conflict with its brutal attack and holding hostages, demanding the unconditional release of all hostages as a prerequisite for progress. Germany supports Israel’s right to security but consistently stresses that a negotiated two-state solution is the only sustainable way to achieve peace. Germany calls for a diplomatic process to begin toward that goal, warning it will react to any unilateral steps.
The Security Cabinet and Chancellor Merz have discussed options to increase pressure on Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza amid warnings from UN agencies about the risk of famine. Proposals for increasing pressure on Israel include a halt to arms deliveries and suspending the EU Association Agreement with Israel.
The United Nations was not explicitly mentioned in the current paragraph as being involved in discussions or aid supply efforts in the Gaza Strip. However, the Federal Government is working with the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations to ensure aid supply in the region. The progress in humanitarian aid is far from sufficient to alleviate the crisis, according to the Federal Government.
Stefan Kornelius, the government spokesman, was present during the discussion with the Security Cabinet. He made statements emphasizing the urgent need for expanded and safe humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza, condemning Hamas's aggression and hostage-taking, and promoting a two-state solution facilitated in cooperation with the UN and international organizations.
In summary, the German Federal Government and Security Cabinet are pressing Israel to allow expanded and safe humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza, condemning Hamas's aggression and hostage-taking, and promoting a two-state solution facilitated in cooperation with the UN and international organizations.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens. This consultations might be influenced by Germany's political stance regarding the crises in war-and-conflicts areas, such as the Gaza Strip, where the General News have been portraying a dire humanitarian situation. The German Federal Government's attention to worker safety might be an extension of their commitment to enhancing humanitarian access in conflict zones.
