BERLIN – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, marking the strongest rebuke from a senior German official too date regarding the ongoing campaign against Hamas. The leader of the Christian Democratic Union, who assumed the chancellorship on May 6, stated during the WDR Europaforum conference in Berlin that he “no longer understands” Israel’s objectives in the region.

Chancellor Merz asserted that Israel’s actions are becoming increasingly tough to defend. “the Israeli government must not do anything that even its best friends are no longer willing to accept,” said Merz. “What the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip, I frankly no longer understand with what goal.”

He added, “To cause such suffering to the civilian population, as has increasingly been the case in recent days, can no longer be justified by the fight against Hamas terrorism.”

Thes remarks follow similar condemnations issued on May 19 by the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, who jointly denounced Israel’s “egregious” military conduct in Gaza. They also threatened “concrete actions” if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fails to alter course, particularly concerning the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Additionally, the European Commission, prompted by a request from the Netherlands, has initiated a review of the E.U.-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade relations between the parties.

“What the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip, I frankly no longer understand with what goal.”

simone Rodan-Benzaquen, director of the american Jewish Committee’s Europe department, noted that Germany will play a crucial role in the review of the Association Agreement. She explained that any modifications to the agreement would likely require a qualified majority, necessitating the support of 55% of member states, including those representing 65% of the E.U.’s population. “It will come down to the big countries: Germany is key, Italy is key,” Rodan-Benzaquen stated.

Israel initiated its military operations in Gaza with the stated goal of dismantling Hamas, following the group’s incursion into the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 were abducted. Israel claims to have eliminated over 20,000 terrorists in Gaza.

According to figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry, which are disputed, approximately 50,000 people have died, and the population is in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Several members of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic party, which is part of the governing coalition led by Merz, have also voiced criticism of Israel in recent weeks. Isabel Cademartori, a lawmaker, has called for Germany to impose an arms embargo on israel.

Several nations, including Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, have already placed restrictions on or fully stopped arms shipments to Israel.

On Friday, Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Israel’s critics of being on the “wrong side of history” and siding with Hamas. “When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice, you’re on the wrong side of humanity and you’re on the wrong side of history,” he said, referencing Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Mark Carney, the leaders of France, the U.K. and Canada respectively.