BRUSSELS

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, expressing deep concern over "the catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza.

In a statement by the Federal Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, Merz called on Netanyahu to take immediate action to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid to the starving civilian population in Gaza.

"This aid must reach the civilian population quickly, safely, and in the required quantities. The measures announced by the Israeli government must now be swiftly followed by further, substantial steps," the statement said.

Merz also urged Netanyahu "to do everything in his power to achieve an immediate ceasefire."

The German government will continue monitoring the situation closely and, in coordination with European, US, and Arab partners, will decide on further contributions to ease the crisis.

Berlin reaffirmed that the recognition of Palestinian statehood is not currently on the agenda, viewing it as a final step towards a two-state solution.

Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza for 18 years and, since March 2, has shut down all crossings, blocking the entry of aid convoys and ignoring international calls to reopen them.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 133 people have died of starvation since October 2023, including 87 children.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing nearly 60,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.