Baerbock cautions against continuous conflict in Gaza.
During her trip to Israel, Foreign Minister Baerbock advocates for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She believes the US-proposed plan, revealed by President Biden in May, offers a viable route towards this objective. This plan could potentially facilitate a truce, free hostages held by Hamas, and establish long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Baerbock challenges Hamas to embrace this plan, urging them to accept it. She underscores that Hamas initiated this conflict, and it's high time they put an end to the misery.
Baerbock acknowledges that not everyone in Israel may embrace the US proposals. Some prefer Israel's continued grip over the Gaza Strip and an unending war. However, she questions the reasoning behind such a perspective. She wonders how an endless war could secure the safety of families hoping to return to their homes in Sderot, Kiryat Shmona. She ponders how it could alleviate the anguish of hostages' families or bring more stability to Gaza for Israel.
Israel, according to Baerbock, has made significant strides in dismantling Hamas' military power. She also stresses the importance of Israel's Arab neighbors cooperating to explore security solutions beneficial to both Israelis and Palestinians. She suggests building upon these efforts.
Baerbock is scheduled to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Jerusalem on the following Tuesday and will also confer with the new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa in Ramallah. Subsequently, she plans to visit Lebanon. Baerbock expresses concern over the escalating tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border, a topic she discussed on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg. Her last visit to the Middle East was at the end of April, where she met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among others.
The conflict between Israel and radical Islamic Hamas erupted on October 7, following an unprecedented assault by the Palestinian organization against Israel. According to Israeli reports, Islamic militants have reportedly caused the death of 1194 people and captured 251 hostages in the Gaza Strip, of whom 116 are still being held in Palestinian territory. Preliminary reports indicate that 41 of these hostages have been executed.
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has been conducting military operations in the Gaza Strip since then. According to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, which cannot be independently verified, over 37,600 casualties have been reported in these operations.
