German Chancellor Merz Hails Türkiye's Role in Gaza Ceasefire

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed strong support for a new Gaza ceasefire plan, acknowledging the critical mediation efforts by the leaders of Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar. In an address to the German parliament, Merz characterized the U.S.-backed initiative as a significant development for regional stability.

Acknowledgment of Regional Diplomacy

The Chancellor explicitly recognized the contributions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Qatar's Emir. "I would like to extend my thanks to the heads of state and government who were involved in making this possible," Merz stated, underscoring the collaborative international effort that made the agreement feasible.

Details of the Ceasefire Agreement

The deal, finalized during a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, initiates a multi-phase process. The initial stage has already seen the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas in Gaza. This has allowed for a significant increase in the flow of humanitarian aid into the region, which has been experiencing severe shortages.

Context of the Conflict

The ceasefire follows a prolonged and devastating military conflict in Gaza. Over the past two years, the war has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis and accusations of genocide from a UN commission of inquiry.