Scholz to Netanyahu: cannot stand by as Palestinians risk starvation
investing.comBy Sarah Marsh
JERUSALEM (Reuters) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz questioned the «terribly high costs» of Israel's offensive on Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza on Sunday, saying the world could not simply stand by and watch as Palestinians risk starvation in the enclave.
Speaking after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Scholz said he had shared his concerns about the high number of civilian casualties and insufficient aid reaching Gaza where aid agencies say famine is looming.
While many countries have expressed similar concerns, the warning was unusually stark for the German leader, who has continuously underscored Israel's right to defend itself after Hamas' Oct. 7 assault on the country that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Germany has been one of Israel's staunchest allies alongside the United States, underlining its duty to stand by the country's side in atonement for its perpetration of the Nazi Holocaust in which 6 million Jews died.
«The more desperate the situation of the people in Gaza becomes, the more this begs the question: No matter how important the goal can it justify such terribly high costs, or are there other ways to achieve your goal?» Scholz said in English at a joint appearance with Netanyahu.
Scholz's trip on Sunday to Jordan and Israel came after Israel on Friday approved a plan to attack the city of Rafah on the southern edge of the shattered Palestinian enclave where more than half of its 2.3 million residents are sheltering after five months of war.
Global allies and critics have urged Netanyahu to hold off attacking Rafah, fearing mass civilian casualties. But Israel says it is one of the last strongholds of Hamas whom it has pledged
Read more on investing.com
