Germany to halt military exports that could be used in Gaza


Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday that Germany will stop approving any military exports that could be used in the Gaza Strip, marking a significant change in policy toward its long-time ally Israel. The decision comes in response to Israel’s plan to expand military operations in the region, which Merz said made it harder to see how the goals of disarming Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages could be achieved. He acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defence but stressed that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires urgent action.


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Germany has historically been one of Israel’s strongest supporters, a stance rooted in Holocaust guilt. However, mounting civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza have increased public pressure on Berlin to reassess its role. Between 2019 and 2023, Germany supplied around 30 percent of Israel’s major arms imports, including Sa’ar 6-class frigates used in the war. After the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, Germany’s arms exports to Israel surged nearly tenfold in 2023, a move that has faced legal challenges from human rights groups warning the weapons could fuel the conflict.



Merz said Germany’s top priorities are securing the release of hostages, advancing ceasefire negotiations, and addressing civilian suffering in Gaza. He urged Israel to avoid further steps toward annexing parts of the West Bank, warning that such actions could further escalate tensions. Far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition have been calling for a complete takeover of Gaza, but the Israeli military has cautioned that this could endanger hostages still held by Hamas.


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Germany’s parliament revealed that export licences worth 485 million euros of military equipment for Israel were approved between the Hamas attack in October 2023 and May 2025. The halt in exports applies to any equipment with potential use in Gaza, reflecting growing unease in Berlin about being seen as enabling the war. The move may signal a broader shift in Germany’s Middle East policy as it seeks to balance its historic commitment to Israel with increasing domestic and international demands to prioritise humanitarian concerns in the conflict.

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