German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday called on the Israeli government to allow more humanitarian aid into northern Gaza, as she defended ongoing arms deliveries to Israel.
On a visit to Beirut, Baerbock said the situation “especially in northern Gaza is becoming more desperate by the day” amid a fresh Israeli offensive.
Northern Gaza has been cut off for 19 days, Baerbock said, with humanitarian aid “only trickling in.”
Earlier this year, the Israeli government promised to “flood” the Gaza Strip with aid, Baerbock recalled. “This humanitarian aid must arrive in Gaza,” she insisted.
“There is an obligation under international law to provide humanitarian aid,” the German foreign minister said.
She further highlighted the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Israel must provide civilians in Gaza with aid.
“This order is binding on Israel, on its government, under international law,” she emphasized.
However, Baerbock insisted that Germany continues to support Israel “including with weapons” in its right to self-defence.
All arms deliveries are subject to international humanitarian law, she maintained.
“The Israeli government bears responsibility for ensuring that international humanitarian law is observed,” Baerbock said.
