Germany says there should be no occupation, expulsions in Gaza

BERLIN

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has voiced concern over the deteriorating situation in Gaza, saying there should be no occupation and expulsions.

There should be no occupation of the Gaza Strip, no expulsions and no reduction in the size of the territory, Baerbock told a press conference in Berlin on Friday.

But, she added, that the besieged enclave should pose no danger to Israel.

Germany has so far not called for a cease-fire in Gaza, where more than 22,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardment, and has repeatedly advocated for Israel's right to self-defense.

Despite criticism, some Israeli government ministers have publicly demanded "voluntary migration" of Palestinians out of the besieged enclave.

Touching on the humanitarian aid issue, Baerbock welcomed the opening of another border gate for the delivery of aid, referring to the Kerem Shalom crossing, but said it is not enough.

She added that Israel needs to do more to protect the civilian population.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 22,600 Palestinians have since been killed and 57,910 others injured, according to Gaza’s health authorities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.

The onslaught has left Gaza in ruins, with 60% of the enclave's infrastructure damaged or destroyed and nearly 2 million residents displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.