German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the statements made by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who publicly called for the killing of “30 to 40 people” every night in the Gaza Strip, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

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Deputy spokesperson Sebastian Hille stated that the Chancellor strongly condemns Ben Gvir’s calls, which he described as unacceptable and contrary to human dignity and international law.

The controversial statements were made last Sunday in a podcast released with Rom Braslavski, a former Hamas hostage in the Gaza Strip. “I think targeted killings should be carried out in Gaza, eliminating 30 to 40 people every night… They shouldn’t live. They aren’t even people,” the far-right minister said.

These statements generated strong criticism in Germany, including rejection from the country’s Central Council of Jews and politicians from Merz’s conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a faction that traditionally supports the Israeli government.

Only Israel can invade, occupy and bomb 3 different countries simultaneously — Palestine, Lebanon and Syria — and still have Western media portray it as the victim. https://t.co/BWwbm1rSDI

— sarah (@sahouraxo) August 13, 2026

Regarding possible sanctions against the Israeli minister, Hille did not specify any particular measures, indicating that the issue would be addressed at the next meeting of European foreign ministers in the Gymnich format.

The spokesperson also neither confirmed nor denied whether there had been recent diplomatic contacts between Merz or Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and their Israeli counterparts, emphasizing that unofficial conversations are not usually reported.

As for regional policy, Berlin reiterated its stance against the occupation. Merz continues to follow the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank with great concern, an issue he has conveyed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“There must be no steps toward annexation, neither formal nor political,” Hille stressed, adding that Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to treat Palestinians with dignity and guarantee them humanitarian aid.

Finally, the German government reaffirmed its support for the two-state solution, maintaining its unwavering support for Israel’s right to exist and security.

#Gaza | Water and sanitation systems are nearing collapse, threatening more than two million Palestinians with worsening water shortages and public health risks.
Fuel and equipment shortages are disrupting wells, sewage and waste services.#Palestine #WaterCrisis #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/NRUZceyuGD

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) August 19, 2026

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