Germany has suspended arms sales to Israel that could be used in Gaza in one of the strongest rebukes yet from a key ally over the war.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was “increasingly difficult to understand” how the latest military push — which includes plans to seize Gaza City — would help achieve Israel’s stated aims.
“Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” he said.
The announcement came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to take control of Gaza City was approved by his security cabinet. The plan stops short of a full takeover of the territory but marks a significant escalation in the conflict.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the move was “wrong” and urged Israel to step back, warning it would “only bring more bloodshed”.
“The Israeli government’s decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong, and we urge it to reconsider immediately,” he said. “This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed.”
Sir Keir added: “Every day the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens and hostages taken by Hamas are being held in appalling and inhuman conditions. What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution.”
The Prime Minister has pledged to recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel meets a series of conditions to end the war. These include Hamas disarming, releasing all Israeli hostages, and accepting it will have no role in Gaza’s future governance.
If the Gaza City operation goes ahead, the prospect of avoiding UK recognition of Palestinian statehood would likely diminish.
The Times has reported that Israel is considering counter-measures should Britain proceed with recognition, which could include withdrawing defence and intelligence cooperation with the UK.
Sir Keir also warned that the chance of a negotiated two-state solution was “vanishing before our eyes”, saying: “Together with our allies, we are working on a long-term plan to secure peace in the region as part of a two-state solution. But without both sides engaging in good faith in negotiations, that prospect is vanishing before our eyes. Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey went further, calling for the UK to halt all arms exports to Israel and impose sanctions on Mr Netanyahu.
“Netanyahu’s plans to occupy the whole of Gaza are utterly abhorrent,” he said. “Rather than sitting on its hands and issuing strongly worded statements, the UK Government needs to take decisive action. Keir Starmer needs to stop the export of all UK arms to Israel – today – and sanction Netanyahu and his cabinet.”
