Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 19, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 19, 2023
German FM returns to Israel for second solidarity visit since outbreak of war
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a press conference at Lancaster House, in London, January 5, 2023. (Kin Cheung/AP)
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock embarks on her second trip to Israel since the deadly Hamas onslaught of October 7, to express “unwavering solidarity” and help ensure Palestinian access to aid.
The trip, due to last until Saturday according to her ministry, will also take in Jordan and Lebanon, where German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was making a surprise visit today.
Before her departure, Baerbock insists on Israel’s “right to defend itself against Hamas terror” and accuses the terror group of using the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as “human shields.”
