Germany halts arms exports to Israel over Gaza City takeover plan

CAIRO – 8 August 2025: Germany has announced a suspension of all arms exports to Israel that could be used in military operations in the Gaza Strip, questioning the effectiveness of Israel’s recent plan to seize Gaza City in achieving the goals of freeing captives and disarming Hamas.

The Israeli so-called security cabinet has approved a new five-point military strategy focused on seizing control of Gaza City, located in the north of the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the plan on Friday, framing it as essential to defeating Hamas and bringing the war to a conclusion.

Gaza City takeover scheme has drawn global backlash as well as firm rejection from the Israeli opposition, which called the plan “a disaster,” and the families of captives who are believed to be still alive inside Hamas tunnels.

“The German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement on Friday.

The decision represents a significant shift in German policy with Berlin being historically one of Israel’s most steadfast allies.

Widespread Condemnation

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined global criticism against the Israeli plan, describing it as “wrong” as it “will do nothing bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages” and “will only bring more bloodshed.”

Governments in countries like Spain, Scotland, China, Australia, Finland, and Turkey also voiced opposition to the plan.

Israeli media reports suggest the operation will begin with the full takeover of Gaza City, involving the forced relocation of up to one million residents to southern parts of the Strip.

The Israeli army is also expected to take control central refugee camps and areas where captives are believed to be held.

The Israeli plan's objectives include the disarmament of Hamas, the return of all captives, demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control over the territory, and the establishment of a new civil administration unaffiliated with either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

United Nations officials warned that a full-scale Israeli takeover of Gaza could have “catastrophic consequences” for both Palestinian civilians and Israeli captives.

Families of the remaining living captives have expressed alarm over the risks posed to their loved ones, reportedly numbering around 20.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the government’s decision “a disaster,” accusing far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of pushing Netanyahu into “exactly what Hamas wanted.”

The Israeli operation comes at a time when Gaza is already grappling with widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease, with famine looming due to Israel’s crackdown on essential infrastructure and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, amounting to a full blockade for nearly three months this year.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 200 people have died from starvation and malnutrition so far, nearly half of them children, adding to a rapidly rising toll from Israeli strikes, which has surpassed 61,250 since the war began.