German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that his country wants to co-host an international conference with Egypt on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after Israel and Hamas agreed to stop their conflicts, according to AFP.
In an official statement, Merz noted that the main objective of this conference “should be to address the most urgent needs, such as rebuilding water and energy supplies and medical care.”
On Friday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the cabinet had “approved the framework” for a hostage release agreement with Hamas.
In this context, Merz stated that the agreement must be “implemented swiftly,” emphasizing that “the hostages, including German nationals, must finally return to their families.”
“Humanitarian aid must quickly reach the people in Gaza,” he added.
Hamas continues to hold 47 hostages in Gaza, 25 of them are believed to be dead, according to the Israeli army.
Interestingly, Merz announced that Germany will contribute an additional €29 million ($33.6 million) in humanitarian aid and will also assist in providing medical and psychological support for the released hostages.
Germany & Israel Relations
Germany’s position on Israel in the context of the Gaza war is deeply shaped by its sense of special responsibility to atone for the Holocaust, during which six million European Jews were killed under Hitler’s regime between 1933 and 1945.
Criticizing support for Israel has long been a huge taboo in Germany due to the Nazis’ murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel described Israel’s security as part of Germany’s ‘Staatsräson’ — a key state principle regarded as overriding all other political considerations.
In August, Merz announced that his country would not recognize the Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly.
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