German Foreign Minister: End of Gaza Ceasefire Is a Dangerous Situation in the Middle East

Cairo – Nessma Youssef

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described the current situation in Gaza as “a dangerous situation in the Middle East.”

In a press statement, she said, “The end of the ceasefire in Gaza due to intensified Israeli attacks is deeply worrying, as the images of burning tents in refugee camps are shocking.”

She added, “Fleeing children and internally displaced persons covered in blood must never be used as leverage in negotiations,” stressing that “international law includes the principle of proportionality in cases of self-defense.”

She continued, “With the resumption of fighting, the fate of the remaining hostages, as well as the future of people in Israel, Gaza, and the entire Middle East, also hangs in the balance.”

She said, “The suffering and its escalation are leading to unimaginable suffering on all sides,” calling on everyone to “respect international humanitarian law and return to talks.”

She noted that “it is in everyone’s interest to take steps toward a permanent solution to the conflict. To this end, talks on the second phase of the ceasefire, as well as on the release of additional hostages, must be resumed immediately.”

The German Foreign Minister called on the United States in particular to now use its regional influence and leverage in this regard, “because the security of the entire Middle East is also affected by this,” noting that this “will also be a topic of discussion during my talks in Lebanon.”

In early March, the first phase of the 42-day ceasefire agreement in Gaza ended, while Israel renounced entering the second phase and ending the war.