German leader backs Israel in phone call with Netanyahu

German leader Friedrich Merz said on X that he and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “agreed that the ceasefire in Gaza must hold.”

“People there need safe humanitarian access, and Hamas must finally return the remains of the last hostages,” he wrote.

Germany has remained one of Israel’s staunchest allies throughout its genocidal war on Gaza, shielding Tel Aviv diplomatically as it continues its genocide of Palestinians under the guise of “self-defence.”