BERLIN, August 08(Politico) – Germany will halt arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday, signaling a significant shift in Berlin’s stance amid Israel’s escalating military operations. The decision follows the Israeli Cabinet’s overnight approval of intensified actions in Gaza, which Merz said complicates achieving stated objectives such as securing the release of hostages or disarming Hamas. “Under these circumstances, the German government will, until further notice, not approve any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip,” Merz stated in a government press release. The partial suspension allows for continued exports of non-Gaza-related systems, such as missile defense or naval equipment, but marks Germany’s strongest response yet to the ongoing conflict.
