Germany Halts Arms Exports That Israel Can Use in Gaza

Germany is to suspend exports of weaponry that could be used in the Gaza Strip because of Israel's plan to expand its operations there – the first time united Germany has acknowledged denying military support to its long-time ally.

- AGENCIES BERLIN

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's sudden about-turn on Friday followed mounting pressure from the public and his junior coalition partner over the manmade humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has severely restricted supplies of food and water.

In a statement, Merz acknowledged Israel's right to disarm Hamas and seek the release of Israeli hostages, but said the Israeli decision "makes it increasingly difficult to see how these goals can be achieved".

Germany is Israel's second biggest weapons supplier after the U.S., and has long been one of its staunchest supporters, principally because of historical guilt for the Nazi Holocaust – a policy known as the "Staatsraison".