BERLIN

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call to allow more humanitarian aid in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement on Monday.

“He (Merz) expressed his hope for a speedy agreement on the release of the hostages and a ceasefire. At the same time, he emphasized the urgent need to immediately allow sufficient humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and ensure its safe distribution to the civilian population,” Kornelius said.

“The chancellor reiterated that the German government continues to view a negotiated two-state solution as the best opportunity to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live together peacefully,” he added.

The chancellor and his Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently toughened their tone toward the Israeli government as they argued that Tel Aviv has not kept its promise to ensure supplies to the Palestinian civilian population through the new Israeli-American distribution channel starting May 25.

Last week, Wadephul slammed Israel’s Gaza strategy, stressing that denying food and medicine to Palestinian civilians was “unacceptable” and violated international humanitarian law.

Speaking at the WDR European Forum in Berlin, Wadephul expressed Germany's deep concern over the situation in Gaza and outlined ongoing diplomatic efforts to persuade the Israeli government to allow more aid deliveries to Palestinian civilians.

Germany has long been a staunch supporter of Israel, with political leaders repeatedly emphasizing the country's historical responsibility to Israel stemming from its Nazi past and the crimes committed against Jews during World War II.

However, Germany’s center-right coalition government has taken a more critical position toward Israel, responding to its renewed military offensive in Gaza, ongoing aid blockade, and Israeli ministers' proposals for the expulsion of Palestinians and territorial annexation.