Germany has announced it will suspend all military exports to Israel that could be used in operations within the enclave.
The decision, made public by Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the eve of the NATO summit, comes in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s newly approved plan to take control of Gaza City, a move widely seen as the precursor to a full military takeover of the Gaza Strip.
“Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” Merz said.
“It is increasingly difficult to understand how this plan will help achieve legitimate aims.”
Germany, one of Israel’s staunchest allies and its second-largest arms supplier after the United States, is widely viewed as a key supporter of Israel’s security often citing historical responsibility following the Holocaust.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Germany accounted for 33% of Israel’s arms imports between 2020 and 2024.
The halt includes a wide range of military equipment, from naval vessels and anti-tank weapons to armoured trucks and ammunition, many of which could have strategic implications for Israel’s operational capacity in Gaza.
