Netanyahu Accuses Germany of ‘Rewarding Hamas’ Over Arms Export Ban
Israel's PM condemned Berlin's halt on Gaza-bound arms exports, calling it a boost for Hamas. Germany cited civilian risks amid Israel's new Gaza City offensive. The rift follows Netanyahu's vow to "liberate" but not govern Gaza.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday accused Germany of “rewarding Hamas” after Berlin decided to halt all arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, a move he described as a major blow to Israel’s ongoing war effort.
In a statement issued by Netanyahu’s office, the Prime Minister said he voiced “disappointment” during a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Instead of supporting Israel’s just war against Hamas, which carried out the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by imposing an arms embargo on Israel,” the statement read.
Netanyahu also told Merz that Israel’s objective “is not to control the Gaza Strip, but to liberate it from Hamas.”
German Policy Shift Follows Israeli Cabinet Decision
The German decision marks a significant shift in Berlin’s foreign policy and came only hours after Israel’s Security Cabinet approved launching a new military operation to seize control of Gaza City. According to the Israeli government, the goals of the operation include disarming Hamas, securing the return of hostages to Israel, establishing a demilitarized Gaza Strip, and maintaining Israeli security control over the territory.
Chancellor Merz argued that the planned offensive would make achieving Israel’s objectives more difficult. “Under these circumstances, the German government will not allow any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” he said.
Merz also stressed Berlin’s deep concern over the “ongoing suffering of Gaza’s civilian population” and emphasized that, in light of the anticipated offensive, “the Israeli government will bear greater responsibility than ever before in providing aid to the territory’s civilians.”
The diplomatic rift comes a day after Netanyahu stated that Israel intends to take full control of Gaza but does not plan to govern it. Speaking to Fox News, he said the goal is to establish a strong security perimeter and later hand the territory over to Arab forces capable of governing “without threatening us and giving Gazans a good life.”
Netanyahu’s remarks followed a Security Cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss war strategy, amid mounting domestic and international pressure to secure a hostage deal and avert famine in Gaza after 22 months of war with Hamas.
