Germany halts military exports to Israel for use in Gaza amid outcry
over Netanyahu plan
[August 09, 2025] By
FANNY BRODERSEN and SAM McNEIL
BERLIN (AP) — Germany won't authorize any exports of military equipment
to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice,” Chancellor
Friedrich Merz said Friday, in a strikingly quick response by one of
Israel's strongest international backers to a decision by Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet to take over Gaza City.
The move by Germany, which has previously stopped short of tougher lines
against Israel's government taken by some of its European Union allies,
appeared likely to further isolate Israel in the wake of the military
takeover plan that has been decried by the United Nations, aid and human
rights groups, and supporters of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza,
among others.
Germany, along with the United States and Italy, is among the top
foreign suppliers of equipment used by Israel's military. The pause adds
to action taken by European countries — including economic, military and
diplomatic measures — against Israel in recent months out of concern
over its government's conduct in the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
Merz said in a statement that Israel “has the right to defend itself
against Hamas’ terror” and that the release of Israeli hostages and
purposeful negotiations toward a ceasefire are “our top priority.” He
said that Hamas mustn't have a role in the future of Gaza.
“The even harsher military action by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip,
approved by the Israeli Cabinet last night, makes it increasingly
difficult for the German government to see how these goals will be
achieved,” he said. “Under these circumstances, the German government
will not authorize any exports of military equipment that could be used
in the Gaza Strip until further notice.”
Netanyahu spoke with Merz Friday and expressed disappointment with the
arms decision, according to an Israeli government statement. Germany is
rewarding Hamas and failing to support Israel's “just war” against the
group, the statement said.
It wasn't immediately clear which military equipment from Germany would
be affected. Asked by The Associated Press for details, the German
government declined to comment.
Germany has led efforts among the EU’s 27 member nations to block
collective criticism of or efforts to stop Israel’s blockade of Gaza and
military campaign in the coastal enclave.
Alongside Hungary and the Czech Republic, Germany has argued against
calls from Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands to scrap a bilateral
agreement with Israel, sanction settlers, and enact an arms embargo.
Weight of responsibility
The German government remains deeply concerned about the suffering of
civilians in Gaza, Merz said.
“With the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater
responsibility than before for providing for their needs," he said.
Merz called on Israel to allow comprehensive access for aid deliveries —
including for U.N. organizations and other nongovernmental organizations
— and said that Israel “must continue to comprehensively and sustainably
address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
The move has particular weight because Germany has been seen as one of
Israel’s strongest supporters — arguably surpassed only by the United
States. Germany has maintained a strongly pro-Israel stance for decades
largely because of its historical responsibility for the Holocaust,
which has shaped its postwar foreign policy around ensuring Israel’s
security and combating antisemitism.
Merz’s government didn't join announcements by French President Emmanuel
Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that their governments
plan to formally recognize a Palestinian state in September.
The reluctance so far of Germany, the EU’s biggest economic power, to
take a tougher line on the actions of Netanyahu’s government clouded the
prospects that international pressure might have an impact on Israel’s
decisions.
Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of
people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas
and pushed the territory toward famine. The campaign was triggered when
Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around
1,200 people and abducting 251 people.
Merz also called on Israel’s government “not to take any further steps
toward annexing the West Bank.”
[to top of second column] |
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a cabinet meeting at the
chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, (AP Photo/Ebrahim
Noroozi)
 A ‘big deal’ but not decisive
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute,
or SIPRI, last year, Germany was the No. 2 supplier of arms to
Israel after the United States.
German companies provide 30% of Israel’s defense imports, mostly
naval armaments, according to data analyzed by Zain Hussain, an arms
transfers researcher at SIPRI. He suggested the German pullback
would be temporary.
“This is going to be a limited measure,” Hussain said. “Germany has
been committed to providing Israel with arms, especially with ships.
Germany, which has stood firmly with Israel, "is openly admitting
that it is uncomfortable with Israel’s actions and limiting some
arms transfers, and for Germany this is a huge deal," he said.
“However, I don’t think this alone will stop Israel’s operations in
Gaza, and Israel still has the USA as a committed arms supplier.”
German-made engines can be fitted in Israeli Merkava tanks and Namer
armored personnel carriers, which are actively deployed in Gaza.
Sa’ar corvettes — small warships festooned with sophisticated radar
equipment and cannons — from Germany have been used to shell targets
in Gaza during the war, Hussain said.
The German news agency DPA, citing figures from the Germany Economy
Ministry, in early June reported that the government had approved
485 million euros (about $565 million) worth of arms exports to
Israel between Oct. 7, 2023 and May 13 this year.
Other European officials express concern
In a post on X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
said Israel’s extension of military operations in Gaza “must be
reconsidered,” in her strongest criticism yet during the war. She
called again for Israel to let in more aid.
The foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Denmark called Israel's
decision to intensify the operation “wrong” and expressed concerns
for civilians and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Czech Foreign
Minister Jan Lipavský told the CTK news agency his country considers
Israel's plan “a risky step.”
Last week, even before the Gaza City takeover plan, Slovenia
announced that it would ban the import, export and transit of all
weapons to and from Israel in response to the country’s actions in
Gaza — saying it was the first EU member country to do so.
Last month, two dozen mostly European countries condemned Israel’s
restrictions on aid shipments into Gaza and the killings of hundreds
of Palestinians trying to reach food.
Last year, the U.K. suspended exports of some weapons to Israel over
concerns they could be used to break international law, but it was a
move with limited military impact. The decision related to about 30
of 350 existing export licenses for equipment that could be used in
Gaza, including parts for military planes, helicopters and drones.
Outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza has grown in Europe as images
of suffering Palestinians have driven protests in London, Berlin,
Brussels and other capitals. More recently, almost-daily killings of
Palestinians while seeking aid have tested the EU’s friendly
relationship with Israel like never before.
The Israeli decision, taken after a late-night meeting of top
officials, came despite mounting international calls to end the war
and protests by many in Israel who fear for the remaining hostages
held by Hamas. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are bracing to once
again be forced from their homes, while families of the hostages
fear their loved ones won’t return.
Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals
but 50 remain inside Gaza. Israel believes around 20 of them to be
alive.
The timing of another major Israeli ground operation remains unclear
since it will likely hinge on mobilizing thousands of troops and
forcibly evacuating civilians, almost certainly exacerbating the
humanitarian catastrophe.
___
Sam McNeil reported from Brussels. Karel Janicek in Prague and Jamey
Keaten in Lyon, France, contributed to this report.
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