BERLIN — Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz urges all sides to avert a “famine” in Gaza, which has been under an aid blockade by Israel since early March.
While reiterating that Germany stands by Israel’s side, Merz also says that “we expect efforts for more humanitarian provision for the population in Gaza whose suffering we see, especially among children, women and the elderly.”
“It is a humanitarian obligation on all parties… and I stress, on all parties — that famine in the region be averted as soon as possible,” Merz tells parliament.
Merz says he hopes that there will be “successful negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages” still being held by Hamas, including those with German nationality.
Germany, which has long sought to atone for the Holocaust, has been a staunch supporter of Israel, with which it marked 60 years of diplomatic relations this week.
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
— Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist
Support our work
Support our work
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
