At last there is movement in the international endeavours to end the suffering in the Gaza Strip. We have reason to hope that the hostages will soon be able to return to their families and that Israelis and Palestinians will finally be able to put the nightmare of this war behind them. US President Trump’s peace plan offers a unique opportunity here, not least because it was co-shaped and is supported by Arab and Muslim states. After two terrible years of violence and destruction, this tremendous opportunity must be seized.

The signals we have seen in recent days give me confidence that Israel’s Government and Hamas are prepared to take the necessary steps to that end. However, there is still a need for help from all those who can exert an influence. Qatar plays an indispensable role in the negotiations. Today I will talk with my Qatari colleague, Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, about how Hamas can be urged to follow up its own words, namely its claim that it intends to release all hostages immediately, with actions. The hostages, among whom there are still German nationals, must be released immediately. This has been and remains the goal of my entire engagement. At the same time, the fighting in Gaza must stop so that sufficient humanitarian assistance can finally reach the people.

Hands-on international cooperation is necessary now in order to implement the US plan quickly. This will also be the subject of the talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council which I and my EU colleagues will be having with our Arab partners in Kuwait today and tomorrow. Security for the people in Israel and the Gaza Strip, stabilisation in the region with long-term security for all, political prospects for the Palestinians, and finally normalisation in all states’ relations with Israel – all this will require considerable staying power. We want to take on responsibility for this together. Germany will play a crucial role. We will offer concrete contributions as a partner for humanitarian assistance, stabilisation and reconstruction.

Like us in the EU, the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council have committed to standing up for each other. With rules-based, fair trade, with successful economic exchange and with close political cooperation, we can and intend to jointly tackle challenges in the region and the world. The Gulf states belong in our network of global partnerships. They are major investors in Germany, they are trading partners, and they are crucial for security in the Near and Middle East. That is why we attach great importance to this cooperation in the context of our focus on “peace, security and prosperity.