German FM arrives in Israel, expected to push Israeli officials for ceasefire
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock lands in Israel ahead of meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
This is her fifth trip to Israel since October 7.
Her office said earlier this week that she will push for a ceasefire, as Israel prepares to launch an operation in Rafah.
For the 5th time since October 7, Foreign Minister @ABaerbock has arrived in Israel for talks about the perspectives of the war against Hamas, the pressing humanitarian situation in Gaza and horizons for future progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. pic.twitter.com/b9oMcHL6HZ
— Steffen Seibert (@GerAmbTLV) February 14, 2024
“The distress in Rafah is already beyond belief. 1.3 million people are seeking protection from the fighting in the most limited of space. An offensive by the Israeli army on Rafah would be a humanitarian catastrophe,” Baerbock wrote on X over the weekend.
“Israel must defend itself against Hamas terror but at the same time alleviate the suffering of civilians as much as possible. That is why another pause in fighting is needed — also in order for the hostages to finally be released. I will discuss ways towards that in Israel again next week,” she added.
