German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has publicly expressed his disapproval of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, echoing the sentiments of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had earlier criticized the Israeli government’s handling of the crisis.
Speaking at the Republica in Berlin on Tuesday, Wadephul described Israel’s strategy as “dual” and “wrong”, saying that it involves a deliberate withholding of essential supplies, such as food and medicine, while simultaneously intensifying military operations, with the apparent goal of driving the population towards the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The Foreign Minister reiterated his previous statements, made in Jerusalem, that this policy would not receive German support and that the criticism would become more pronounced if the situation did not improve. He urged Israel to allow for humanitarian aid and to revert to the old distribution system used by the United Nations and other aid organizations. Wadephul emphasized the need for a genuine change in Israel’s supply policy.
Chancellor Merz had earlier expressed his confusion over the Israeli military’s current objectives in the Gaza Strip, stating that the civilian population is being increasingly affected and that this cannot be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism.