logo
Tense and Angry Talks Between Merz and Netanyahu Over Gaza Tragedy - Jordan News

Tense and Angry Talks Between Merz and Netanyahu Over Gaza Tragedy - Jordan News

Jordan News8 hours ago
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held several phone conversations—some of them described as tense and angry—with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent weeks, as the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip worsens. اضافة اعلان According to a German official cited by the newspaper, Merz urged Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. The report added that Merz joined French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump last Monday. During the call, the leaders urged Trump to put pressure on Netanyahu to ease the humanitarian situation. Merz specifically emphasized to Trump the need to pressure Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, where people are dying of hunger. The paper also pointed out that German public opinion has turned sharply against Israel over the past year, as the devastating war on Gaza continues. At the same time, German political parties are increasingly calling for an end to arms exports to Tel Aviv. This shift comes shortly after German Foreign Minister Johann Vadvol visited Israel last week, where he met with Israeli officials to urge them to facilitate the delivery of aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
While Israel has permitted the German military to carry out air-drops of humanitarian aid over Gaza, the German government released a statement following Vadvol's return to Berlin, noting that there has been only 'slight initial progress' in humanitarian delivery efforts. However, the statement stressed that such progress is 'far from sufficient to alleviate the state of emergency' in the region.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Athens Mayor fires back at 'Israeli' ambassador over Graffiti dispute
Athens Mayor fires back at 'Israeli' ambassador over Graffiti dispute

Roya News

time3 hours ago

  • Roya News

Athens Mayor fires back at 'Israeli' ambassador over Graffiti dispute

A diplomatic row has erupted between Athens Mayor Haris Doukas and 'Israeli' Ambassador Noam Katz, sparked by the ambassador's public criticism regarding the city's handling of 'antisemitic' graffiti. The exchange escalated quickly, with Mayor Doukas accusing Israel of "unprecedented genocide" in Gaza, dismissing the graffiti concerns as "marginal details". Ambassador Katz initiated the dispute in an interview with Greek daily Kathimerini on Sunday, August 3, 2025, stating that 'Israeli' visitors felt "uncomfortable" in Athens due to 'antisemitic' slogans like 'Expel all Israelis' and 'Kill the Zionists, save lives'. He accused city authorities of inaction against "organized minorities" responsible for the vandalism, warning it sent a "dangerous message of tolerance for Jew-hatred". Mayor Doukas swiftly responded on X (formerly Twitter), declaring, "We don't need lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians". 'Athens, the capital of a democratic country, fully respects its visitors and supports the right of free expression of its citizens,' Doukas continued. 'We do not accept lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians and children in food lines, from those who lead dozens of people to death in Gaza every day, from bombs, hunger and thirst,' he added. 'It is appalling that Mr. Ambassador focuses only on graffiti (which is apparently being erased), while an unprecedented genocide is being carried out in Gaza,' Doukas said before finally pointing out that the number 'of Israelis who have been granted a Greek Golden Visa has increased by over 90%'. While the Athens Municipality announced plans in August 2024 to upgrade its anti-graffiti service and launch a new cleanliness app, Jewish organizations note "inconsistent" cleanup efforts, particularly in central Athens.

Lebanon tasks army with setting plan to restrict arms to state
Lebanon tasks army with setting plan to restrict arms to state

Roya News

time3 hours ago

  • Roya News

Lebanon tasks army with setting plan to restrict arms to state

Lebanon's government on Tuesday tasked the army with developing a plan to restrict arms to the state by year end, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said, an unprecedented move that paves the way for disarming Hezbollah. After a nearly six-hour cabinet session headed by President Joseph Aoun on disarming the Iran-backed group, Salam said the government "tasked the Lebanese army with setting an implementation plan to restrict weapons" to the army and other state forces "before the end of this year". The plan is to be presented to the cabinet by the end of August for discussion and approval, he told a press conference after the marathon session. A November ceasefire deal that sought to end more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war between 'Israel' and Hezbollah stated that Lebanese government authorities such as the army, security forces and local police are "the exclusive bearers of weapons in Lebanon". Salam said the cabinet would continue discussions this week on a proposal from US envoy Tom Barrack that includes a timetable for disarming Hezbollah. Information Minister Paul Morcos said that the cabinet "set a deadline of the end of the year to consolidate arms in the hands of the Lebanese state". He said Hezbollah-affiliated Health Minister Rakan Nassereldine and Environment Minister Tamara Elzein, who is affiliated with its ally the Amal movement, "withdrew from the session because they did not agree with the cabinet decision". Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem had said a short time earlier, as the cabinet was in session, that "any timetable presented for implementation under... Israeli aggression cannot be agreed to".

'Tsunami of suicides': 'Israeli' parliament warns of rising suicide trend among soldiers
'Tsunami of suicides': 'Israeli' parliament warns of rising suicide trend among soldiers

Roya News

time3 hours ago

  • Roya News

'Tsunami of suicides': 'Israeli' parliament warns of rising suicide trend among soldiers

An 'Israeli' parliament subcommittee convened today to address a sharp rise in suicides within the military, particularly among reservists since the events of Oct. 7, 2023. The meeting, led by MK Elazar Stern, highlighted demands from bereaved families for better psychological support and recognition for the soldiers, warning of an impending "tsunami" of mental health crises. A grieving family member shared a story of her brother, Assaf Dagan, who committed suicide. According to his sister, Neta, Dagan had repeatedly sought help, and his mother had warned a senior commander that he might take his life. The military presented new data on the issue. So far in 2025, there have been 16 recorded suicides, following 21 in 2024, 17 in 2023, and 14 in 2022. The increase is most pronounced among reserve service members due to extensive mobilization since the war began.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store