Political Solution Crucial for Resolving Gaza Crisis and Establishing Lasting Peace - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Political Solution Crucial for Resolving Gaza Crisis and Establishing Lasting Peace - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Berlin, April 3 — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday called for the resumption of "serious" discussions to end the Gaza conflict, as Israel continues its attacks on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Scholz stated, “What is needed now is to return to a ceasefire and secure the release of all kidnapped individuals,” and he urged the restart of "serious discussions" aimed at establishing a post-conflict arrangement in Gaza that will ensure Israel’s security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israeli forces were "analyzing" the Gaza Strip and occupying land in the region to put pressure on Hamas to release hostages.

The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas resulted in 1,218 deaths, after which Israeli attacks on Gaza intensified. Israel resumed bombing Gaza on March 18, and this was followed by new attacks, marking the end of a nearly two-month ceasefire.

After Israel resumed military operations in Gaza, Gaza's Health Ministry reported that at least 1,066 people had been killed in the region.

In a joint press conference with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Berlin, Scholz also emphasized the urgent need to send humanitarian aid to Gaza. He said, "No humanitarian aid has reached Gaza for a month. This cannot continue, and it should not continue."

Scholz further stated, "A sustainable peace, which will stabilize the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, can only be achieved through a political solution."

King Abdullah II also called for the return of a ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He said, "Israel’s attacks on Gaza should stop. A ceasefire must be re-established... and the flow of aid must be restarted." He added, "The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has already reached unbearable levels, and it should be addressed quickly."