Israel wants to take control of Gaza City. Chancellor Merz reacts to the decision of the Israeli security cabinet. Until further notice, the government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip.

The German federal government will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice. The Federal Chancellery announced this.

"The even tougher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, approved by the Israeli Cabinet last night, makes it increasingly difficult, from the German government's perspective, to see how these goals are to be achieved," Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is quoted as saying in the statement."The German government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip."

Merz demanded that Israel, following"the correct steps of the past few days," continue to comprehensively and sustainably improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He also called for no further steps toward annexing the West Bank.

The exact goods involved remain unknown. The type and quantity of German arms exports are generally classified.

On Friday night, the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to"defeat" the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The plan calls for the Israeli army to take control of Gaza City, Netanyahu's office announced, while simultaneously delivering humanitarian aid to civilians outside the combat zones.

Merz emphasized in his statement:"Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas' terror. The release of the hostages and determined negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priority. The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza."

Criticism from the Junge Union – Praise from the SPD, Greens and Left

Federal Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) says it was the right decision to stop supplying weapons to Israel that would then be used in the Gaza Strip."The humanitarian suffering in Gaza is unbearable. The Israeli government bears great responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Therefore, humanitarian aid must now be allowed into Gaza as quickly and comprehensively as possible." Germany offers its full solidarity to the State of Israel, he said, but wrongdoing must also be called out.

Criticism, however, comes from the federal chairman of the Junge Union (Young Union), Johannes Winkel. He writes on X:"From today on, Israel will do our dirty work, only without German weapons."

The Left Party welcomes the German export ban on certain military equipment. At the same time, Left Party foreign policy expert Lea Reisner called for further steps. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she said, is talking about expulsion."In light of these expulsion plans and the humanitarian catastrophe, the German government must fulfill its responsibility and act decisively: suspend the EU Association Agreement, recognize Palestine, and implement the measures outlined in the International Court of Justice's opinion," Reisner said.

The Green Party is also calling for further steps by the federal government to build pressure on Israel."The federal government is finally taking action and halting the delivery of weapons that could be used in Gaza. I very much welcome this, but it can only be a first step," Green Party leader Franziska Brantner told the dpa news agency."Chancellor Merz and his Foreign Minister Wadephul must now vigorously advocate for a political process. Serious pressure is needed now for an end to the war and the humanitarian catastrophe, the release of the hostages, and a political perspective. Germany must no longer prevent consistent European action in this direction, but must take the lead."

The German-Israeli Society (DIG), however, criticized the decision. If this decision remains in place, it would be"a point victory for Hamas in the global propaganda war," the society declared. It also warned"against German arrogance": "If Israel were to retaliate with arms deliveries to Germany, the future of German air security would look bleak."

ll/ly with dpa