Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, voices ‘concern’ on Gaza, to send foreign minister to Israel.
Merz, has voiced “considerable concern” about the Gaza conflict and said he would send his foreign minister to Israel this weekend.

The conservative Merz, 69, long a strong supporter of Israel, said that Israel has a right to fight the Palestinian group Hamas but must follow international law.

Merz, who took office on Tuesday, said Germany’s new foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, would travel to Israel at the weekend and that “we are currently preparing this trip together”.

Speaking to public broadcaster ARD, Merz said: “We view the developments of the last few days with considerable concern.”
“Israel has the right to defend itself against the brutal attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7 and everything that followed,” said Merz.

“But Israel must also remain a country that lives up to its humanitarian obligations, especially as this terrible war is raging in the Gaza Strip, where this confrontation with Hamas terrorists is necessarily taking place.”

He added that “it must be clear that the Israeli government must:
1. fulfil its obligations under the international law of war
2. and that humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip must be provided”.

Mr. Merz — Hold the terrorists accountable. Tell them to stop their terror1. “hostages back,
2. Hamas out”
3. Aid flows in
4. all your “considerable concern” disappear