German ambassador slams Israeli right-wing extremists for blocking aid into Gaza

BERLIN

Germany’s Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert on Tuesday sharply criticized Israeli extremist settlers for blocking aid into Gaza.

“To raid aid trucks and prevent food from reaching the needy is disgraceful. And it certainly won‘t help the Israeli cause of freeing the hostages and securing the country against the terror of Hamas,” he said on X.

It was one of the strongest public criticism yet from a German official, reflecting the growing frustration over Israeli settlers’ violence, and Israeli government’s reluctance to stop them.

Dozens of Israeli right-wing extremists blocked on Monday aid trucks at the Tarqumiya crossing, and destroyed life-saving goods, which were desperately needed by the suffering people of Gaza.

Despite international pressure, Israeli authorities have severely restricted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, pushing hundreds of thousands civilians towards famine.

Israel has waged a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people.

At least 35,180 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority of whom have been women and children, and over 79,000 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Israel is accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.