Germany vowed Friday to suspend sales of arms to the Zionist entity that could be used in Gaza, as European and Arab nations slammed the Israeli cabinet’s decision to occupy Gaza City after 22 months of war.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said “the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”
Merz, whose country is Israel’s second-biggest arms supplier after the United States, acknowledged Israel’s right to disarm Hamas and seek the release of the remaining 50 hostages, but said Israel’s decision “makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved.”
After Israel destroyed Gaza ..
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Berlin will not approve German weapons exports to Israel for use in the Gaza Strip “until further notice.” pic.twitter.com/dMTEhOY3RS
— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) August 8, 2025
The release of hostages and ceasefire negotiations were Germany’s top priorities, along with alleviating civilian suffering in Gaza, said Merz.
He also urged the Israeli government not to take any further steps towards annexing parts of the West Bank.
Merz held a phone call with Netanyahu on Friday during which the latter expressed his disappointment over the German decision, according to an Israeli readout.
According to statistics by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in 2023, Germany provided Israel with 47% of its total imports of conventional arms, with the US supplying 53%https://t.co/Gvk0tn3PJU
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) August 9, 2025
The Israeli cabinet decision bucked Israeli military warnings that the expanded fighting could endanger the remaining Israeli captives in Gaza and deepen the humanitarian disaster there.
The planned Gaza City takeover has sparked fierce Israeli criticism from the Israeli opposition and hostage families, as well as international condemnations from the United Nations, China, Russia, Britain and other countries.
Source: Israeli media (edited by Al-Manar)
