The Foreign Minister of Germany describes the Gaza crisis as a situation of unparalleled severity.
In a pressing development, Germany has called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, expressing deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
At a Jerusalem press conference, German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock (Wadephul), described the situation in Gaza as "absolutely intolerable," with people dying daily while seeking food. The minister urged Israel to quickly and safely send sufficient humanitarian and medical aid to prevent mass deaths due to starvation.
The crisis in Gaza has led to a near-famine situation, with nearly 1,400 Palestinians killed while seeking food since late May 2025. Human rights groups accuse Israel of war crimes related to using starvation tactics. The United Nations and human rights organizations report that Israeli forces have continued attacks near aid distribution sites and convoy routes, resulting in mass casualties and impeding aid delivery.
UNICEF and humanitarian agencies call for a political solution to stop the violence. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) stresses that the Israeli aid scheme restricts access, risking forced displacement and preventing vulnerable groups from receiving aid. IRC's leadership explicitly calls for ending hostilities alongside scaled-up aid delivery.
The crisis has taken a heavy toll on children, with over 18,000 children having died since the war began, averaging 28 child deaths per day. UNICEF highlights that 320,000 young children face acute malnutrition. Despite some easing of the blockade, aid deliveries remain insufficient to meet urgent needs.
Wadephul's statement preceded his meeting with Israeli officials in Jerusalem. During the meeting, he advocated for negotiations on a two-state solution to the conflict to start immediately. He warned that Israel is losing diplomatic support and urged both sides to prevent a potential gap opening between Israel and the European Union.
Berlin has repeatedly voiced its opposition to Israel formally annexing the West Bank. Wadephul stressed the need for clarity from Israel regarding the absence of policies of expulsion and annexation. He stated that Germany sees recognizing a Palestinian state at the end of a negotiation process, but this process must begin soon.
International responses have emphasized the need for a sustained ceasefire as a prerequisite for improving humanitarian conditions. Canada, France, and Britain have already made similar moves to recognize a Palestinian state. Wadephul warned that if Israel continues on its current path, it could face further diplomatic isolation.
References:
[1] United Nations and human rights organizations. [2] Human Rights Watch. [3] UNICEF. [4] International Rescue Committee (IRC).
- The ongoing crisis in Gaza, as outlined by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, involves war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news due to the worsening humanitarian crisis, the use of starvation tactics accused against Israel, and the need for a political solution to stop the violence.
- The crisis in Gaza, with its near-famine situation and limited aid delivery, has sparked concerns among human rights groups, UNICEF, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC), who call for a sustained ceasefire, a political solution, and an end to diplomatic isolation for Israel, especially in light of Germany's calls for clarity regarding Israel's absence of policies of expulsion and annexation, and international responses emphasizing these prerequisites. [References: 1, 2, 3, 4]
