German FM to make rare Gaza visit

Germany’s foreign minister says he will visit the Gaza Strip — a rare trip to the Hamas-ruled territory by a Western leader.

In meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials Sunday, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was concerned about the situation in Gaza, which is struggling to recover from a devastating war with Israel last year.

Steinmeier told Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin that “concrete steps” are needed to improve daily life in Gaza. The country well understands the importance of rehabilitating the Gaza Strip, Rivlin told him, according to Israel Radio.

In the West Bank, Steinmeier called for quick reconstruction of Gaza while also saying that rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel must be stopped.

Steinmeier said he would head to Gaza on Monday. No talks with Hamas are planned.

— AP