Germany halts military exports to Israel, urges ceasefire in Gaza

AL-Monitor
Aug 8, 2025
FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, August 6, 2025. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, August 6, 2025. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo — Liesa Johannssen

BERLIN (Reuters) -The German government will not approve any exports to Israel of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday in response to Israel's plan to expand its military operations there.

The release of the Israeli hostages and negotiations for a ceasefire are Germany's top priorities, Merz said in a statement, expressing deep concern over the suffering of civilians in the Gaza strip.

(Reporting by Kirsti KnolleEditing by Ludwig Burger)