Scholz warns Netanyahu: Time for agreement

2024-08-12 09:20:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Scholz warns Netanyahu: Time for agreement

Olaf Scholz

There have been several attempts to reach a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas, but without results. Chancellor Scholz is now engaging.

The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in a telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, asked to reach an agreement with the radical-Islamic Hamas. The time has come to finalize the deal to free the hostages from the violence of Hamas and the time for a halt to the fighting in the Gaza Strip, Scholz said on Sunday, according to German government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner in Berlin.

Many military objectives in the war against Hamas have been achieved, the number of civilian casualties and human suffering in the Gaza Strip is extraordinary. An end to the war in the Palestinian area in the Mediterranean "would be a decisive step for regional de-escalation", the German chancellor said.

The German government, on the other hand, condemns the threats posed by Iran, Hezbollah and others to the security of Israel and its citizens. According to the German government spokesman, Scholz expressed deep concern about the risk of a regional outbreak of conflict. Now more than ever is the moment to commit to breaking "the destructive spiral of retaliation, de-escalation and constructive engagement for de-escalation."

Further tightening

For months, Qatar, Egypt and the US have been trying to negotiate a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and achieve the release of hostages held by Hamas. But in recent months the conflict in the Middle East has further intensified. According to the office of the Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu has expressed his willingness to continue negotiations next week.

The war against Hamas erupted after a terrorist attack by Hamas and other extremist groups in Israeli areas and a pop festival on October 7. According to Israeli data, about 1,200 people were killed in this terrorist attack. In addition, the terrorists also took 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive military attack on the Gaza Strip, which is increasingly criticized internationally. According to the data of the Ministry of Health controlled by Hamas in the Palestinian areas, about 39,8000 people have been killed. Hamas is categorized by the US, EU, Germany and other countries as a terrorist organization./DW