Telephone call with Netanyahu: Chancellor Scholz pushes for a ceasefire
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) urges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with the radical Islamist group Hamas. The time has come to finalize the deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire, Scholz emphasized in a phone call with Netanyahu on Sunday, a government spokesperson in Berlin said. Many military objectives in the fight against Hamas have been achieved, but civilian casualties and human suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense. An end to the war in Gaza would be a crucial step towards regional de-escalation, the Chancellor stressed.
The German government condemns threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and others against Israel's security and its citizens. Scholz expressed grave concern about the risk of a regional conflagration in the Middle East. Now more than ever, it is crucial to break the cycle of retaliation, ease tensions, and actively work towards de-escalation.
The Chancellor reiterated the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in his telephone call with Netanyahu, discussing the potential for diplomatic solutions. Despite the significant milestones in the military conflict, a telephone call was made to emphasize the need for addressing the humanitarian crisis and seeking a ceasefire.
