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Foreign Minister Baerbock on the situation in Gaza
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued the following statement today (19 July) on the situation in Gaza:
This war in Gaza must come to an end at long last. There are no safe places in Gaza for civilians.
Hamas has been abusing Palestinians in Gaza as human shields since 7 October. It has abused civilian places time and again for its terror, including places where children should actually be learning peacefully and places where people are seeking protection from the fighting.
Almost 80 percent of the Gaza Strip has been declared an evacuation zone by the Israeli army – children, the sick, the elderly and pregnant women also have to leave these areas.
And even the few and completely overcrowded places declared to be safe zones by the Israeli army are being hit time and again. While Israel has the right to protect itself against terrorism, international humanitarian law places restrictions on each and every war. The army has an obligation to protect the civilian population. After all, people cannot simply vanish into thin air but urgently need support and security.
All those who bear responsibility in the region and beyond must focus all their energy on negotiating a humanitarian ceasefire. The Biden plan is on the table and it enjoys the support of the UN Security Council. It is high time to adopt it, as Israeli Defence Minister Gallant recently called for. So that the hostages are released, the killing stops and there is a humanitarian ceasefire at long last.