editor
In a strong display of diplomatic solidarity, the governments of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are coordinating a foreign ministerial visit to Israel next week.
The purpose: to push for immediate humanitarian access and a de-escalation of the growing Gaza crisis.
The announcement was made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a joint press briefing with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Berlin. Merz emphasized the urgent need for Israeli authorities to facilitate smoother and faster humanitarian aid entry into the Gaza Strip, which has been under blockade and bombardment since the conflict flared in October 2023.
“We believe this is the right moment for Israel to act decisively and allow unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance,” said Merz, adding that political momentum must now translate into life-saving action.
Germany is already mobilizing two A400M military cargo aircraft to deliver emergency supplies to Jordan, which will serve as a staging ground for aid into Gaza. The mission is being coordinated with British and French counterparts, forming a unified European front in an effort to prevent a worsening famine and medical collapse in the war-torn enclave.
The situation in Gaza has rapidly deteriorated, with United Nations officials and international NGOs warning of a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have died since the war began, many of them civilians—including children who have succumbed to malnutrition or treatable injuries due to lack of medical supplies.
Organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have described Gaza’s healthcare system as “beyond breaking point.” According to the World Food Programme, food insecurity has reached catastrophic levels in parts of northern Gaza, and clean water is nearly nonexistent.
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While Germany has historically maintained close ties with Israel, the sheer scale of the crisis has triggered a visible shift in tone. Alongside France, which earlier this year formally recognized Palestinian statehood, and the UK, whose Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to follow suit by September 2025, Europe is applying increasing pressure on Israel to lift restrictions and resume peace talks.
In their joint statement last week, the three countries demanded:
- An immediate and sustained ceasefire
- Unhindered access for humanitarian convoys
- The release of all hostages
- A return to negotiations for a viable two-state solution
While some aid has trickled into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, many humanitarian organizations—including UNRWA—argue that deliveries remain erratic, insufficient, and politicized.
The planned diplomatic visit by the three foreign ministers—David Lammy of the UK, Stéphane Séjourné of France, and Annalena Baerbock of Germany—is expected to take place in Jerusalem next Thursday. Officials say the delegation will meet with Israeli leaders to deliver a unified message urging immediate policy changes.
Behind the scenes, diplomatic sources suggest that Germany is even considering backing temporary suspension of its part in the EU-Israel Association Agreement if no progress is made.
“This is not about turning away from Israel,” one senior diplomat explained, “but rather turning toward the needs of desperate civilians who are paying the price for inaction.”
With war fatigue growing and images of starving children and bombed-out hospitals dominating international headlines, public pressure is mounting for Western governments to move beyond statements and take concrete action.
The upcoming visit could become a defining moment in Europe’s role in Middle East diplomacy. Whether it will succeed in shifting Israeli policy remains to be seen—but the stakes could hardly be higher.
