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Friedrich Merz (CDU, left), CDU parliamentary group leader, meets Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, during his trip to Israel
Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO / dpa
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. "In my opinion, the Israeli government and the Israeli army are doing everything they can to protect the civilian population there," said the CDU chairman after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
The civilian population is being used by Hamas as a protective shield in order to make the fight against terror more difficult. “In this respect, it is now up to Hamas to ensure that there are no more civilian victims,” added Merz.
Merz said he first congratulated Netanyahu on the release of two more hostages last night. "That's a good sign." But there are still many hostages held by the terrorists. "It is important that the Israeli army and the Israeli government are now successful in the real destruction of Hamas," said the Union faction leader. "And they are on this path." He also spoke to Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation of the people in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian civilian population will be warned about military operations and asked by telephone and leaflets to leave those areas in which military actions would then take place, said Merz. »But it is also true: there are civilian victims. There will continue to be civilian casualties." At the same time, he emphasized: "The goal of finally defeating Hamas terror is, I think, a very understandable goal." He told Netanyahu "that I fully support it and understand that the Israeli government and the Israeli army are taking this path. They really need to defeat terror now and they are on their way. But this journey is not over yet.«
Baerbock warns of an offensive in Rafah
The Israeli government's press office said Netanyahu thanked Merz for his unwavering support of Israel and its right to self-defense, as well as Germany's historic commitment to Israel. There was also discussion about the need to further expand bilateral relations. In the afternoon, Merz was also scheduled to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Israel Katz and opposition leader Jair Lapid.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently warned urgently against an Israeli military offensive in the south of the Gaza Strip. “An offensive by the Israeli army on Rafah would be a humanitarian catastrophe,” wrote the Green politician on X (formerly Twitter). “The people in Gaza cannot disappear into thin air.” She also announced another trip to Israel.
Netanyahu ordered the army on Friday to develop a plan to evacuate the population of Rafah. The invasion is apparently getting closer.
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