عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Germany’s Merz Discusses Gaza in Call with Israel’s Netanyahu  

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference, in Brussels, Belgium, May 9 2025. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference, in Brussels, Belgium, May 9 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20
TT

Germany’s Merz Discusses Gaza in Call with Israel’s Netanyahu  

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference, in Brussels, Belgium, May 9 2025. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a press conference, in Brussels, Belgium, May 9 2025. (Reuters)

Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz held his first call in office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussing the Gaza war and Middle East tensions, Berlin said Friday.  

In the call on Thursday, 80 years after the end of World War II, Merz "reiterated that the existence and security of Israel are a part of German raison d'etat", declaring them core principle of the German state, said a statement.  

Germany has long been a strong support of Israel as it seeks to atone for the Holocaust, and conservative Merz is expected to continue this tradition.  

Merz repeated Germany's condemnation "in the strongest terms" of Hamas's "brutal terror attack" of October 7, 2023 and expressed concern for the fate of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza as well as "the hope that negotiations for a ceasefire would soon get under way".

He also mentioned the "humanitarian crisis" in Gaza, where an Israeli blockade has led UN agencies and aid groups to warn of dwindling supplies of everything from fuel to medicine to the territory of 2.4 million Palestinians.  

Israel denies a humanitarian crisis is unfolding and has vowed to further ramp up pressure on Hamas.  

The Israeli military has already levelled most of the territory's buildings following the group's unprecedented attack on Israel.

In a trip to Paris on Wednesday, Merz said that while "Israel has a legitimate interest in pushing back Hamas's terror, it also has a humanitarian obligation to the population in Gaza".  

He added that Israel "must fulfil this responsibility more fully than it has been doing in recent days".  

New German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is expected to visit Israel this weekend to discuss the ongoing conflict.  

Next Monday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to visit Berlin to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  

His German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Israel directly afterwards.  

The official readout of the call between Merz and Netanyahu said they also discussed "the situation in Syria", without giving further details.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

CENTCOM Nominee: US Needs Troops in Syria to Stop ISIS Comeback

US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 
US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 
TT
20
TT

CENTCOM Nominee: US Needs Troops in Syria to Stop ISIS Comeback

US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 
US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper 

ISIS remains a threat in Syria and a US military presence is still needed there to deal with it, US Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said in his confirmation hearing to become the next head of US Central Command.

The Pentagon has already decided to significantly reduce the number of troops in the country from 2,000 to fewer than 1,000.

But Cooper told the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 24 there is a continued need for at least some presence. And he argued that the complex situation in Syria needs to be weighed before making additional troop cuts.

“Presence is indispensable in the execution of the counter-ISIS mission today,” said Cooper, who currently serves as the deputy commander of CENTCOM, which oversees US forces in the Middle East.

“We have led it. We lead it today, and I anticipate we’ll lead it into the future. Every decision made on force posture is going to be conditions-based as I look to the future,” he added.

When asked by Senator Joni Ernst about the church bombing in Syria few days ago, Cooper said, “We are focused on this problem set every single day. ISIS remains a threat, and as we look to the future, and if confirmed, I will remain nose down on this threat. It is an absolute priority.”

Cooper said the US was right to back Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa and that he was a vital partner in the campaign against ISIS.

“ISIS thrives in chaos,” Cooper said. “If the government of Syria, now seven months into their existence, can help suppress that ISIS threat, along with the US forces in the region, that stability helps create our own security.”

He added, “I think, given the dynamic nature of what’s happening today, that assessment [of required US troops in Syria] in the future could look different than it does today, perhaps.”

Cooper said the US played—and continues to play—a central role in the anti-ISIS campaign.

“The United States has led this mission from the outset. We still lead it today, and I expect that leadership to continue as we move forward, guided by operational realities,” he affirmed.