BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Friday that he hoped for a “speedy ceasefire” in war-torn Gaza, Berlin said.
Merz also “stressed that the urgently needed humanitarian aid must now reach the people in the Gaza Strip in a safe and humane manner” and that the “disarmament of Hamas was imperative,” his office said in a statement.
“The chancellor expressed his hope for a speedy ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. All remaining Hamas hostages, including those with German citizenship, must be released immediately.”
The statement added that Merz “advocated for finding a viable post-war order for Gaza that takes into account Israeli security needs and the Palestinian right to self-determination.”
The chancellor also “emphasized that there should be no steps toward annexing the West Bank.”
Speaking earlier at a Berlin press conference, Merz labelled the events in Gaza as “no longer acceptable.”
He also emphasized Germany’s commitment to Israel’s security, saying: “We are doing everything we can to do justice to both sides, it is clear where we stand.
“But we also see the suffering of the Palestinian population and are trying to do everything possible to provide humanitarian aid here as well.”
More than 21 months of war have created dire humanitarian conditions for Gaza’s population, displacing most residents at least once and triggering severe shortages of food and other essentials.
The war was triggered by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 58,667 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
Merz tells Netanyahu he hopes for ‘speedy’ Gaza ceasefire
https://arab.news/cj89s
Merz tells Netanyahu he hopes for ‘speedy’ Gaza ceasefire
- Merz told Netanyahu that humanitarian aid must reach the people in Gaza in a safe and humane manner
Iraq PM candidate Al-Maliki meets senior US diplomat
- Last month President Donald Trump intervened in Iraq’s affairs by issuing an ultimatum that if Al-Maliki — a two-time former premier with close ties to Iran — was named Iraq’s next prime minister, the US would no longer help the country
BAGHDAD: The leading candidate to become Iraq’s next prime minister, Nouri Al-Maliki, met with US diplomat Tom Barrack on Friday after refusing to withdraw his nomination despite the US threatening to stop supporting the country if he returns to the post.
Barrack, the US envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkiye, has recently visited Iraq multiple times to meet with senior officials.
Maliki’s media office said in a short statement that the PM candidate stressed during the meeting “the need to respect Iraq’s sovereignty and the will of its people.”
He also spoke of the “importance of supporting the democratic process and strengthening political stability” in Iraq.
It wasn’t clear what message Barrack conveyed to Maliki.
Last month President Donald Trump intervened in Iraq’s affairs by issuing an ultimatum that if Al-Maliki — a two-time former premier with close ties to Iran — was named Iraq’s next prime minister, the US would no longer help the country.
Trump’s threat left Iraqi leaders at a loss, particularly within the Coordination Framework — a ruling alliance of Shiite groups with varying degrees of links to Iran that nominated Maliki.
Earlier this week, Al-Maliki told AFP he would not withdraw his nomination, while also seeking to allay Washington’s concerns.
“I have absolutely no intention of withdrawing out of respect for my country, its sovereignty, and its will,” Al-Maliki told AFP in an interview.
