Location at an overview: Federal government starts air bridge for Gaza

In view of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the sealed -off Gaza Strip, Germany, together with Jordania, starts an air bridge to supply people with relief goods. Chancellor Friedrich Merz threatened Israel for the first time with concrete measures if the country does not quickly improve the humanitarian situation in the war zone. US President Donald Trump also asked the allies to supply the population in Gaza with food.

“I want you to make you get the food. I want you to get the food,” said Trump when visiting Scotland when asked what he will discuss in the next conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When asked what responsibility Israel bears to ensure that auxiliary deliveries reach people in Gaza, Trump replied: “Israel is responsible.”

Netanyahu: Location in the Gaza Strip difficult

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said that his country would continue to work with international organizations as well as the USA and European countries, “to ensure that large amounts of humanitarian help flow into the Gaza strips”. At the same time, the head of government emphasized in a message in his office: “While the situation in the Gaza Strip is difficult and Israel is trying to ensure the delivery of relief goods, the (Islamist terrorist organization) benefits Hamas from trying to stir up the impression of a humanitarian crisis.”

Israel denies that there is a hunger disaster in the Gaza Strip. In contrast, the World Health Organization (WHO) explained that the malnutrition among the approximately two million inhabitants had reached “alarming dimensions”. Israel blames UN organizations and Hamas for problems with the distribution of relief goods.

On Sunday, Israel allowed larger quantities of aid deliveries for the first time in months. According to Israeli information, food was dropped on Monday in a row. Germany now wants to start his air bridge with Jordan immediately according to Merz ‘words.

Helpers consider air bridge to be ineffective and expensive

How many aircraft the Bundeswehr will participate with initially remained open. Today there should be details when visiting the Jordanian king Abdullah II in Berlin. Helpers consider the dropping of relief goods from the air because of the relatively small quantities to be ineffective and also expensive, for example compared to truck transports. In addition, people could be injured by the pallets on the ground. “To throw humanitarian aid goods from the air is a senseless initiative that smells of cynicism,” said Jean Guy Vataux, the emergency coordinator of the aid organization doctors without limits in the Gaza Strip.

Merz said that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) would prepare the structure of the air bridge and coordinate closely with France and Great Britain, which are also willing to participate. “We know that this can only be a very little help for the people in Gaza. But at least it is a contribution that we would like to make,” said the Chancellor.

EU Commission proposes sanctions against Israel

If Israel does not improve the humanitarian situation quickly, Merz wants to take further measures. At first, no decisions were made, he said after a session of the security cabinet. “But we reserve such steps.” Merz did not say which measures are possible.

The EU Commission recommended that the Member States partially suspend Israel’s participation in the Horizon Europe research promotion program. In Brussels it was expected that the committee of the constant representatives of the Member States at the EU was already dealing with the proposal and advising on how to proceed.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the sanction recommendation in a first reaction as “incorrect, unfortunate and unjustified”. At a time when Israel fights Hamas’ terrorism, such a decision only serves to strengthen Hamas. Israel will endeavor to not accept the recommendation by the EU Council of Ministers.

Netanyahu insists on war goals

Israel’s head of government Netanyahu insists despite the ever louder calls to end the war on a complete breakdown of Hamas. Israel had to do two tasks, Netanyahu said when visiting the headquarters of the military secret service: the destruction of the Palestinian organization and the liberation of all hostages still remaining in Gaza. “We don’t give it up for a minute. These are two intertwined goals,” emphasized Netanyahu.

Representatives of Israel and the United States remain demonstratively far from an ongoing UN conference in New York to realize a two-state solution. The two -day conference had started on Monday with a clear criticism of numerous countries to Israel. “It is a PR stunt that takes place in the middle of the delicate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict (between Israel and the Palestinians),” commented the US State Department in Washington. A two -state solution means that Israel and an independent Palestinian state exist peacefully by side.

France, which had announced the recognition of Palestine as a state last week, organizes the conference at the United Nations together with Saudi Arabia. Progress is not expected. UN General Secretary António Guterres said that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians could be solved with political will and courageous leadership, but the truth is: “We are on the side of the collapse. The two-state solution is further removed than ever.”