Germany Halts Military Exports to Israel Over Gaza Occupation Plan
In a significant policy shift, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Germany will suspend the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip. The decision, made on August 8, 2025, is a direct response to Israel's newly approved plan to militarily occupy Gaza City.
This move marks a notable departure for Germany, a country that has historically been one of Israel's staunchest international allies. Chancellor Merz stated that it has become "increasingly difficult to understand" how Israel's military plan will achieve its stated goals of disarming Hamas and securing the release of hostages. He added that with the planned offensive, Israel now bears an even greater responsibility to ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza.
The suspension is not a total arms embargo, but a halt on authorizing new exports of military equipment that could be used in the conflict. German companies are a key supplier of defense imports to Israel, providing about 30% of its naval armaments. The German government's decision has been met with sharp criticism from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reportedly expressed disappointment and claimed that Germany is "rewarding Hamas terrorism."
The announcement is the latest in a series of economic, military, and diplomatic measures taken by some European countries in recent months due to growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel's conduct in the conflict.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
