Germany says US, Israel ‘must do everything’ to ensure continuation of Gaza ceasefire

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany urged Israel and the US on Tuesday to do everything possible to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

“The ceasefire is currently hanging by a thread,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in a statement, criticizing Hamas for jeopardizing the deal with recent statements.

“The Israeli government and the US must also do everything to ensure that we get into the second phase of the deal and to a perspective for real peace,” said Baerbock.

She noted that the agreement has already led to the return of more than 20 Israeli captives to their families.

Baerbock also called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, while firmly rejecting US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to seize control of the enclave and relocate its Palestinian population to regional countries.

“The civilian population in Gaza has gone through hell. Food, medicine and reconstruction are now paramount. Swift recovery also requires a ceasefire,” said Baerbock. “And international law is clear: there must be no transfer of the population from Gaza.”

Hamas said Monday that it would delay the next hostage release in response to Israeli violations of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

Negotiations on phase two were scheduled to start last week, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to send his negotiators to Qatar until he met with US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu and Trump agreed on the guidelines for phase two of the deal, including the expulsion of Hamas leadership from Gaza, dismantling the group’s armed wing, and the release of all captives from Gaza, according to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronot.