German chancellor warns of ‘de facto partial annexation of the West Bank’
Merz urges Israeli prime minister ‘to begin direct peace talks with the Lebanese government’
- Foreign Minister Wadephul calls on Israel to avoid targeting civilian lives and infrastructure in Lebanon
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday voiced "deep concern" over the situation in the Palestinian territories, saying a "de facto partial annexation of the West Bank" must be prevented.
"Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke by phone today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the conversation, the chancellor expressed his deep concern about developments in the Palestinian territories. There must be no de facto partial annexation of the West Bank," government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.
"The chancellor encouraged Prime Minister Netanyahu to begin direct peace talks with the Lebanese government. He called for an end to hostilities in southern Lebanon," Kornelius added.
Merz’s remarks were underscored by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who in a phone with his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi, said "direct talks between Israel and Lebanon could be an important first step toward a future in which both are respected: Israel’s legitimate security interests and Lebanon’s right to territorial integrity and sovereignty."
"Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel must stop. We support Lebanon’s exercise of the monopoly on the use of force throughout its territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah. At the same time, the Israeli army must protect the civilian population and civilian infrastructure, " Wadephul added.
Israel began its attacks on Lebanon soon after the US-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28. More than 2,000 people have since been killed and over 1 million people displaced.
After Pakistan mediated a ceasefire in the Iran war last week, Lebanon and Israel also agreed to hold talks and the first meeting is scheduled in Washington on Tuesday.
