German chancellor criticises Israel's actions in Gaza

27/5/2025 6:29

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Israel's actions in Gaza on Monday, saying the extent of harm being done to the civilian population could no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas' terrorism.



"When boundaries are crossed, where humanitarian international law is really being violated, then Germany too, then the German chancellor too must say something about it," Merz told broadcaster WDR in a televised interview.



Germany has staunchly backed Israel's right to defend itself since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023 that triggered the war, reflecting what it sees as its duty to stand by the country in atonement for its own role in the Holocaust in which 6 million Jews died.



But German government officials have increasingly stressed the need for Israel to adhere to international law in its response to the Hamas attacks, while mostly avoiding outright criticism of its actions in the Palestinian territories.