Union faction leader Friedrich Merz has backed Israel's military action against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip and in the southern border town of Rafah. Merz met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
Israeli government's press office said Netanyahu thanked Merz for his unwavering support of Israel and its right to self-defense. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently warned urgently against an Israeli military offensive in the south of theGaza Strip. She also announced another trip to Israel.