Chancellor Merz Urges Israel to Limit Humanitarian Impact

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced concerns over Israel's recent military actions in Gaza, highlighting the unwarranted humanitarian toll on civilians. The Chancellor stated that the extent of harm inflicted cannot be rationalized solely as a counter-terrorism measure against Hamas.

Merz plans to communicate these concerns directly to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an upcoming phone discussion. He emphasized the need for restraint, advising Netanyahu to avoid exacerbating the situation.

While maintaining a cautious tone, Merz noted Germany's historically constrained position compared to other European nations when critiquing Israel's military strategies.

(With inputs from agencies.)