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Foreign Minister Maas on Gaza

06.05.2019 - Press release

Foreign Minister Maas issued the following statement today (6 May) on the latest escalation in and around the Gaza Strip:

The rockets fired by Hamas PIJ are despicable acts of terror against the civilian population and we condemn them in the strongest possible terms.


We are relieved that the mediation efforts by Egypt and the United Nations led to a ceasefire last night. We hope that it will be upheld as of now.


It goes without saying that missile attacks against Israeli civilians from Gaza are unacceptable and will not solve any problems. Our sympathy goes out to all victims of the latest escalation in both Israel and Gaza and to their families. We wish the injured a speedy recovery.


The ceasefire can help ensure that the situation eases on a durable basis. A key first step is the implementation of the agreement of late March. We call on both sides to adhere to the commitments made. These include credible security guarantees for Israel and tangible measures to improve living conditions in the Gaza Strip.


Furthermore, a sustainable improvement in the situation must also include an intra-Palestinian agreement and the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.

The German Government is willing to support all initiatives that prevent a return to deadly violence. These initiatives must be embedded in efforts to create a two-state solution. Only in this way can lasting and just peace in the Middle East be guaranteed.


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