Wadephul’s criticism comes after Chancellor Friedrich Merz last week condemned Israel’s renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip in unusually strong terms for a leader of Germany — traditionally one of Israel’s closest allies — saying the extent of the harm to the civilian population “can no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism.”
Wadephul also said more humanitarian aid must be allowed into the Gaza Strip and called for an end to the war.
“It is absolutely clear that Hamas must never again pose a threat to Israel,” he said. “But the fight against Hamas cannot be won in the long term by military means alone. The war in Gaza must therefore end.”
While German leaders have hardened their rhetoric on the Israeli government’s policies, it’s unclear whether Merz’s conservative-led government will make concrete policy changes.
Asked by a reporter whether Germany will continue to provide weapons to Israel, Wadephul answered with a simple “yes.”
Last week, Wadephul was quoted in German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung as saying that further arms deliveries to Israel would be subject to a review based on “whether what is happening in the Gaza Strip is compatible with international humanitarian law.”
