BERLIN

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday urged Israeli and Hamas negotiators to seize the opportunity for a Gaza ceasefire, citing broad international support for US President Donald Trump's recent ceasefire plan for Gaza.

Speaking at a news conference in Tel Aviv following his meeting with Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar, Wadephul said Israel would need to make compromises to secure the hostages' release while emphasizing that Trump's plan would provide security assurances for Israel.

"We are now in the first phase of the US plan, which aims for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and restraint in military operations," he said, adding that this will also enable sufficient humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip.

“We must complete this first phase this week, or at the latest by the beginning of next week. This is feasible, and it must be our goal. After that, we should address all other issues, and these other issues will also take a certain amount of time,” he added.

Germany's top diplomat reiterated that Berlin is ready to make financial contributions for the reconstruction of Gaza and provide personnel to implement US President Trump's ceasefire plan. He also said Germany is willing to organize a reconstruction conference alongside Egypt.

Prior to arriving in Israel on Monday, Wadephul visited Qatar and Kuwait over the weekend. He plans to travel to Egypt on Tuesday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Aaty.

His regional tour coincides with the start of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas that began Monday in Cairo, where the United States, Qatar, and Egypt are serving as mediators.