Germany threatens measures against Israel due to Gaza crisis

The German government announced yesterday, Monday, July 28, its readiness to take additional steps to pressure Israel regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, without specifying the nature of these steps.

The government spokesperson confirmed that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was clear during his phone call on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, informing him that the German government is prepared to increase pressure if no tangible progress is made in improving the humanitarian situation.

The spokesperson also indicated that Berlin is "principally prepared to take further steps", explaining that this issue will be the focus of discussion at today's meeting of the German Security Council.

During the call, Merz expressed deep concern about what he described as the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza, and urged Netanyahu to make every effort to achieve an immediate ceasefire and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians suffering from hunger and siege.

The government spokesperson, Stefan Cornelius, added that the measures announced by the Israeli government must be followed by practical and swift steps on the ground to alleviate the suffering of civilians.

Germany had joined France and Britain last Friday in issuing a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire, along with the unconditional and immediate release of all Israeli detainees held by Hamas in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel announced on Sunday a temporary suspension of its military operations in three areas within the sector, including Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City, and opened new corridors for aid delivery amid escalating international pressure and warnings from relief organizations about the spread of famine in the besieged sector.

Amid these developments, photographers captured a poignant scene of Palestinian children trying to get food from a charity kitchen in Gaza, encapsulating the scale of the humanitarian disaster that the sector's residents have been experiencing for months.