Germany will launch an immediate airlift to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday, as Berlin weighs increased pressure on Israel over the “catastrophic” situation in the enclave, where nearly 60,000 have died and starvation is rapidly worsening.
The operation is set to begin "immediately," he said following a meeting of the Security Cabinet in Berlin.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will work closely with France and the United Kingdom, both of which have expressed willingness to join the effort to transport food and aid, Merz said.
"We know this can only be a small help for the people in Gaza," the chancellor said. "But at least it is a contribution that we are glad to make."
While it welcomed Israel's announcement of a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza as an "important first step", it agreed more must follow.
