On Wednesday, Germany reaffirmed its stance on Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. During a routine press briefing in Berlin, when questioned about Chancellor Olaf Scholz's views on Israel's adherence to international law within the conflict zone, his spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, underscored a consistent position, stating, “The Chancellor has expressed his conviction that Israel is abiding by international law, and there has been no deviation from this stance.”
The conflict ignited following a grave incursion by Hamas across the border on October 7, 2023, marked by egregious acts of violence including mass rapes, torture, kidnappings, and murders. Notably, this violence was not solely perpetrated by the terrorist group; it also saw participation from civilians who seized the chaos as an opportunity to loot devastated Israeli communities.
I just led a letter with more than twenty bipartisan House colleagues to thank German Chancellor Scholz for defending Israel against meritless accusations of genocide.
— Rep Josh Gottheimer (@RepJoshG) March 13, 2024
These claims set a dangerous precedent & could impact the on-going fight against authoritarianism & terrorism. pic.twitter.com/eakrbajeff
Germany has consistently voiced its support for Israel's right to self-defense, concurrently urging adherence to international laws and advocating for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. Chancellor Scholz, from the outset of the hostilities in October last year, affirmed his confidence in Israel's commitment to international law, stating, “I have no doubt about that.”
In a move to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius authorized the country’s air force to conduct airdrops of critically needed supplies into the territory. Highlighting the acute shortage of basic necessities among Gaza's populace, Pistorius emphasized Germany's commitment to ensuring access to food and medicine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expected to visit Israel on Sunday https://t.co/58xIV1fsZz
— Sport Sage (@SageSport5521) March 13, 2024
With traditional methods of aid delivery significantly hampered by pre-war levels, the international community, including Germany, has pivoted to alternative means such as airdrops to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies.
Furthering diplomatic efforts, Chancellor Scholz announced a collaborative initiative with Thailand aimed at securing the release of their citizens taken hostage by Hamas in southern Israel. This announcement was made during a press conference with Thai Premier Srettha Thavisin, spotlighting the continued captivity of eight Thai nationals and several Israelis with dual German citizenship in Gaza since the October 7 kidnapping.
🇩🇪 Chancellor Olaf Scholz is working together with 🇹🇭 Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to free their respective citizens who were taken hostage by Hamas in southern Israel 🇮🇱 last year. pic.twitter.com/ndxU9dJqwT
— Antoine D (@AD1968F) March 13, 2024
Amid preparations for a forthcoming visit to Israel, Chancellor Scholz's administration has been proactive in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This initiative, as revealed by government sources to Reuters, is part of a broader international response to the conflict's induced humanitarian challenges. The German Air Force's involvement in humanitarian airdrops is a response to the critical need for alternative aid delivery methods, given the considerable delays and obstacles faced by traditional aid conveyance due to bureaucratic and security concerns.
This collaborative international effort, now including contributions from nations such as Jordan, the United States, Egypt, France, Belgium, and Morocco, underscores a collective endeavor to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as the region grapples with the devastating impacts of the conflict. The United Nations has issued warnings about the severe risk of starvation facing approximately a quarter of Gaza's population, highlighting the urgency of facilitating aid access amidst the ongoing turmoil.
