German FM pushes for Gaza humanitarian pauses, rejects calls for ceasefire

Germany’s foreign minister is pushing anew for reliable “humanitarian pauses” in the war between Israel and Hamas, but is rejecting calls for a ceasefire that ends the fighting.

Germany has staunchly backed Israel since Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7 while also pushing for humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.

Arriving at a meeting with European Union counterparts, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she understands “the impetus for a ceasefire,” but questions how those who seek one can guarantee Israel’s security in “this terrible situation” and wondered about the fate of the people Hamas has taken hostage.

Baerbock defended the less far-reaching approach of humanitarian pauses, saying while it “breaks one’s heart, is from my point of view the only possible policy to really curb this suffering in this situation.”