Chancellor Friedrich Merz halts weapons transfers to Israel over Gaza war concerns, urging restraint in Judea and Samaria and excluding Hamas from Gaza’s future.
In a move set to strain Berlin–Jerusalem relations, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Germany will not authorize the transfer of military equipment to Israel—specifically, arms that could be used in the ongoing war in Gaza, according to Ynet.
Merz said he was “very concerned about the suffering of the population in the Strip,” framing the decision as part of Germany’s broader humanitarian stance. The embargo signals a stark shift in policy from one of Israel’s historically strongest European allies.
While affirming that “Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism”, the chancellor stressed that Hamas must play no role in Gaza’s future governance. At the same time, he issued a pointed warning to Israel: do not take any steps toward annexation in Judea and Samaria.
The decision comes as European governments are increasingly divided over how to respond to the Gaza conflict, with some countries deepening military cooperation with Israel and others—like Germany—moving to restrict it.
