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- Merz issues stern warning to Netanyahu鈥檚 government as army ramps up military campaign
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a stern warning to Israel on Monday, said he now 鈥渘o longer understands鈥� its objective in war-ravaged Gaza.
The unusually strong comments from Berlin heighten pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the army ramps up its military campaign in what it says is a renewed effort to destroy Hamas.
鈥淗onestly speaking, I no longer understand what the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip, with what goal,鈥� Merz told public broadcaster WDR.
鈥淭he way in which the civilian population has been affected, as has been increasingly the case in recent days, can no longer be justified by a fight against Hamas terrorism.鈥�
He said Germany, like 鈥渘o other country on earth,鈥� must be sparing in its public advice to Israel, a reference to Germany鈥檚 dark history of World War II.
鈥淭he question is: How clearly do we voice criticism now, and for historical reasons I am more reserved,鈥� Merz said, but added that 鈥渨e need to say this a little more clearly now.鈥�
The chancellor, who took office early this month, said that 鈥渨hen limits are crossed, when international humanitarian law is being violated ... then the German chancellor must speak out too.鈥�
Merz said he wanted Germany to remain 鈥淚srael鈥檚 most important partner in Europe.鈥�
鈥淏ut the Israeli government must not do anything that its best friends are no longer willing to accept,鈥� he said.
Israel has stepped up a renewed offensive to destroy Hamas, drawing international condemnation as aid trickles in following a nearly three-month blockade that has sparked severe food and medical shortages.
Rescuers said devastating Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 52 people on Monday, 33 of them in a school turned shelter.
The civil defense agency said many of the casualties at the school in Gaza City were children, while the Israeli military said the site was housing 鈥渒ey terrorists.鈥�
Germany鈥檚 Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, during a visit to Spain, stressed that Germany stands by Israel, including through arms supplies, but also voiced concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
鈥淎s a country that understands Israel鈥檚 security and existence as a core principle, Germany is always obliged to assist Israel in guaranteeing its security,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat naturally includes being willing to supply weapons in the future.鈥�
Germany had a special responsibility toward Israel, he said, adding that there must nevertheless be an improvement in Gaza鈥檚 鈥渋ntolerable鈥� humanitarian situation.
鈥淲e clearly stand by Israel鈥檚 side, but we must not ignore the fate of the people in the Gaza Strip,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here must be no expulsion from the Gaza Strip, there must be no policy of starvation, and there must be the active supply of aid and humanitarian goods.鈥�