Visiting Israel, Germany’s new Foreign Chief of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, defended political solution to the conflict and rejected the expulsion of Palestinians or permanent occupation of the territory.
Germany Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Sunday that the conflict in Gaza cannot be resolved by military means. During a visit to Jerusalem, he argued that a political solution must be found to end the war permanently and appealed to the parties to accept a ceasefire agreement.
“I do not believe that this conflict can be resolved permanently by military means,” said Wadephul. “However, it is urgently necessary for Hamas to be disarmed and can no longer have military control over Gaza.”
For him, the military campaign does not guarantee Israel’s safety. “That’s why we are appealing to a return to serious negotiations on a ceasefire.”
Palestinian displacement
Wadephul also rejected the proposal to move two million Palestinians or the possibility of Gaza being permanently occupied.
Earlier this week, Israel’s security office approved a plan that predicted Gaza’s “conquest”, and Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he expected the Palestinian population to be confined to only a small strip of land over the next six months.
According to the newly deposed minister in office, Germany will do whatever it takes to ensure Israel’s safety. However, he argued that this does not mean exempting the Israeli government of criticism. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that only Hamas is responsible for the war.
Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 killed 1,200 people and 251 were taken hostage. Israel’s campaign in Gaza killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to health authorities managed by Hamas.
Distribution of humanitarian aid
Saar and Wadephul have also greeted a new US proposal to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip, suspended by Israel since March this year.
According to a Washington envoy to Israel, the White House maintains conversations with the Palestinian group Hamas and should unlock a proposal to resume the entry of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
According to the UN, blocking the distribution of aid led to humanitarian chaos in Palestinian territory, which faces food and medical materials.
The Tikva Forum, an Israeli group that represents some hostage relatives, criticized the American plan, saying that the resumption of humanitarian aid distribution should be conditioned on the release of the 59 Hamas prisoners in Gaza.
Netanyahu emphasizes cooperation with Germany
When he meets Wadephul, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and Germany have “excellent relations.” “We have many common interests, many common values and many common challenges,” said Netanyahu.
The relationship of Wadephul, a member of the Conservative Christian Democratic Democratic Party (CDU), is expected to be less tense than that of his predecessor, Annalena Baerbock, who came into a greater clash with the Israeli government because of the blockade of help Gaza.
Wadephul will also meet the Prime Minister of Palestinian Authority, Mohammed Mustafa, in Ramallah, West Bank.
Originally published by DW on 05/11/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/05/12/ministro-alemao-questiona-solucao-militar-para-gaza/
