Diplomat Wadephul Expresses Support for Palestinian Authority Government

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip continues to escalate, with more than 1300 people waiting for aid having been killed since the end of May, over 850 of them near locations of the controversial Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has strongly condemned the crisis, calling it "beyond imagination." He has urged Israel to quickly and safely allow sufficient humanitarian and medical aid to prevent mass deaths from starvation. Wadephul emphasizes the urgent need for aid delivery primarily by road with safe access for UN and international relief organizations.

Germany is taking an active role in addressing the crisis. The German Foreign Minister has pledged an additional five million euros for the UN World Food Programme and has initiated an airlift by the German Armed Forces, dropping nearly 14 tons of food and medical aid supplies over the Gaza Strip in the first two flights.

However, the UN-led aid system is not the only one operating in the region. The previously responsible UN organizations have been replaced as the main distributor of aid goods in the Gaza Strip by the GHF. This change has been met with criticism from aid organizations, who view such airlifts as inefficient and dangerous.

Wadephul has demanded that goods should be distributed by the UN again, and he has met with relatives of hostages still held captive in the Gaza Strip. He has also reaffirmed Germany's position on the recognition of a Palestinian state and assured the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas of "Germany's support in building state structures."

The crisis in the Gaza Strip has also seen incidents where civilians have been killed by gunfire around GHF distribution centers. The Israeli army is investigating these incidents where most people were killed by the Israeli military.

The ongoing violence has not been limited to the Gaza Strip. Germany has also condemned the violence of extremist Jewish settlers in the West Bank. The Islamic Jihad militant Palestinian organization has released a shocking video of a German-Israeli hostage, further highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Wadephul stresses that ending the war is crucial and urges the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. He views a negotiated two-state solution as the only permanent path to peace, with recognition of a Palestinian state as a goal following negotiations. He also warns of a growing diplomatic isolation of Israel due to the ongoing crisis while stressing Germany’s responsibility in preventing Israel’s isolation and supporting humanitarian efforts.

The goods will be distributed during the temporary ceasefires established by Israel in parts of the Gaza Strip. As the crisis continues, Germany remains committed to alleviating the humanitarian catastrophe and working towards the release of hostages. The head of the UN Refugee Agency, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that airdrops would not end the "worsening famine" in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the crisis.

Political discussions regarding a Palestinian state's recognition continue, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reassuring the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas of "Germany's support in building state structures."
Amidst the crisis, garnering attention in the general news, are instances of civilian casualties due to gunfire around food distribution centers operated by the Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), under Israeli military investigation.
Beyond the Gaza Strip, controversies surround extremist Jewish settler violence in the West Bank, causing Germany to express concerns, while acknowledging the need for an all-encompassing, permanent resolution to the war-and-conflicts, such as the negotiated two-state solution, which includes casino-and-gambling, politics, crime-and-justice, and food security as connected aspects to achieving peace.