Germany suspends arms exports to Israel over Gaza plan

Germany will suspend all arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Friday.

“Israel has the right to defend itself against the terror of Hamas,” Merz said in a statement. “The release of the hostages and determined negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priority. The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza.”

Why It Matters

Germany’s suspension of arms exports to Israel marked a significant development in European-Israeli relations and international debate over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As one of Israel’s principal allies, Germany’s decision highlighted rising global concerns about the humanitarian impact of Israel’s intensified military actions in the region and signaled possible shifts in Western policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The move underscored the growing divide among international stakeholders regarding military escalation and how Israel aims to achieve its stated security objectives in Gaza.

What To Know

Merz announced that the federal government would immediately halt the approval of any arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip. The announcement came in direct response to a late-night decision by Israel’s political-security Cabinet to move forward with a plan to take control of Gaza City as part of a broader operation to eradicate Hamas from the enclave.

“Israel has the right to defend itself against the terror of Hamas,” Merz said. “The release of the hostages and determined negotiations on a ceasefire are our top priority. The disarmament of Hamas is essential. Hamas must not play a role in the future of Gaza.”

However, Merz expressed doubts over Israel’s latest military strategy, saying that it was “increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved” through the intensified campaign. He added that “under these circumstances, the German government will not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”

Germany, which granted export licenses for military equipment to Israel worth 485 million euros ($564 million) between October 2023 and May 2025, had been one of Israel’s largest arms suppliers in Europe.