Germany’s foreign minister is pushing anew for reliable “humanitarian pauses” in the war between Israel and Hamas, but is rejecting calls for a cease-fire that ends the fighting.
Quick Read
- Germany’s Position on Israel-Hamas War:
- Humanitarian Pauses Advocated: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pushes for humanitarian pauses, not a full cease-fire.
- Support for Israel: Germany maintains strong backing for Israel post-Hamas attack.
- Concern for Civilian Aid: Emphasizes the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza.
- Security Concerns: Questions how a cease-fire can ensure Israel’s security and address the issue of hostages held by Hamas.
- Evacuation Efforts from Gaza:
- Romanian Citizens Evacuated: 86 Romanians evacuated to Egypt, totaling 134 since the conflict began.
- Romanian Casualties and Hostages: At least five Romanians killed; six hold dual Romanian-Israeli citizenship and are among Hamas’ hostages.
- Albanian Family’s Evacuation: Albanian mother and her four children safely moved to Egypt.
- Brazilian Nationals’ Evacuation: 32 Brazilians en route to Brazil via Cairo.
- Czech Citizens’ Evacuation: One Czech national and a relative evacuated; nine others seeking evacuation.
The Associated Press has the story:
Germany’s Foreign Minister pushes for ‘Humanitarian Pauses’ in Gaza
Newslooks- BRUSSELS (AP)
Germany’s foreign minister is pushing anew for reliable “humanitarian pauses” in the war between Israel and Hamas, but is rejecting calls for a cease-fire that ends the fighting.
Germany has staunchly backed Israel since Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7 while also pushing for humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
Arriving Monday at a meeting with European Union counterparts, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she understands “the impetus for a cease-fire,” but questioned how those who seek one can guarantee Israel’s security in “this terrible situation” and wondered about the fate of the people Hamas has taken hostage.
Baerbock defended the less far-reaching approach of humanitarian pauses, saying while it “breaks one’s heart, is from my point of view the only possible policy to really curb this suffering in this situation.”
MORE FOREIGN NATIONALS EVACUATED FROM GAZA
BUCHAREST, Romania — A group of 86 Romanian citizens were evacuated on Sunday from the Gaza Strip into Egypt, Romania’s Foreign Ministry said.
The latest group of evacuees left Gaza through the Rafah border crossing and were on their way to Cairo, it said. Earlier Sunday, 41 Romanians were flown to Romania from Egypt after being evacuated from Gaza, bringing the total to 134 since the conflict with Israel started.
Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, at least five Romanian citizens have been confirmed killed. Six Romanians who hold dual Romanian-Israeli citizenship are also among the hostages held by Hamas.
Meanwhile, Albania’s foreign minister said Sunday that the first Albanian citizens, a mother and her four children, were evacuated from Gaza. Igli Hasani posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the five people were safe in Egypt “while we continue the procedures for their return to Albania as soon as possible.”
Hasani thanked Israel and Egypt for their cooperation and UN migration and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their support “in this complex operation.”
Also Sunday, a group of 32 Brazilians was en route to Cairo after they were allowed to cross from Gaza into Egypt, according to a statement from Brazil’s Foreign Ministry posted on X. From Cairo, the group will fly to Brazil on a plane belonging to the Brazilian armed forces. They are scheduled to arrive Monday evening.
And Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said one Czech national and a relative were evacuated from Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah crossing. Lipavsky declined to give any further details. The Foreign Ministry said there are nine other Czech people who are seeking evacuation from Gaza.
