BERLIN, August 11, 2025 (WAFA) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz explained that Berlin's decision to halt arms exports to Israel came in response to its plan to expand its operations in the Gaza Strip.

In an interview with German public broadcaster ARD, he said, "We cannot provide weapons in a conflict that is currently being waged solely by military means. We want to help diplomatically, and we are doing that."

Merz said, "Expanding the scope of Israeli operations in Gaza could kill hundreds of thousands of civilians and would require the evacuation of the entire city of Gaza."

He asked, "Where are these people supposed to go?... We cannot do that, we will not do that, and I will not do that."

The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's plans to expand its military control over the Strip prompted Germany to take this unprecedentedly risky step.

K.T