Germany’s Scholz says every effort should be made to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday said every effort should be made to reduce the number of civilian victims in Gaza.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Berlin, Scholz said they have disagreements over Israel’s military campaign, but would like to continue their dialogue.

“We will speak how we can prevent further escalation in the region, we share the concern of a conflagration in the Middle East,” Scholz said, adding that while Germany defends Israel’s right to self-defense, it is not indifferent to the suffering of Palestinians.

“Everything should be done to reduce the number of civilian casualties,” he stressed.

Earlier, Erdogan criticized Western governments for providing blanket support to the Israeli government, but turning a blind eye to "war crimes" committed in Gaza.

The German government has repeatedly said Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas, and opposed calls for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, arguing that it will give a respite to the Palestinian group.

Germany says it bears a historical responsibility for the security of Israel due to the country’s Nazi past and crimes committed against Jews during World War II.