BERLIN: Germany on Monday called on all parties to continue with negotiations towards a lasting truce in Gaza after disagreements between Israel and Hamas appeared to intensify at weekend talks in Cairo, Egypt.
The statement from Berlin came in response to heightened disagreements between the conflicting parties, particularly following inconclusive talks held in Cairo over the weekend.
The situation intensified as Israel announced the evacuation of Palestinians from eastern Rafah earlier on Monday, a move that preceded mounting fears of a long-anticipated ground invasion of the southern Gaza city. The prospect of such an invasion has sparked widespread global alarm.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry stressed the imperative of safeguarding the ongoing negotiations. She emphasized the need for all sides to exert maximum efforts to ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza and the liberation of hostages.
While on a diplomatic visit to Fiji, Baerbock reiterated Germany’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people in Gaza, stating that the country has been actively engaged in efforts to address the dire humanitarian situation for months.
Furthermore, Germany voiced criticism of Israel’s decision to ban Al Jazeera news channel and emphasized the importance of upholding press freedom. The German Foreign Ministry denounced the move as sending the “wrong signal” and affirmed that a free and diverse press landscape is essential for any liberal democracy.
