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For a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages: Foreign Minister Baerbock travels to the Middle East once again
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock talking to Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, © Photothek Media Lab
For the eleventh time since the Hamas massacre and Israel’s actions in Gaza, Foreign Minister Baerbock is visiting the region from 4 to 6 September. Her programme will include talks in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
For many people in Israel and Gaza, 7 October marked the beginning of a never-ending nightmare. Both for the families of the hostages abducted by Hamas and for people in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is on the verge of collapse. Since last weekend, there has been sad certainty about the fate of six more Israeli hostages, who were found dead in Gaza. A humanitarian ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages will be the focus of all political talks between Foreign Minister Baerbock and her partners in Riyadh, Amman, Tel Aviv and Ramallah.
Prior to her departure, Foreign Minister Baerbock stated:
All efforts must continue to be directed towards a humanitarian ceasefire leading to the hostages’ release – and to an end to the dying. After all, there is no military solution either for Gaza or for the situation in the West Bank.
Working together for stability in the region
The entire region is in the throes of violence and there is a danger that the conflict will spread: while the tensions between the Israeli army and the Lebanese Hezbollah grow, missile attacks by the Yemeni Houthis pose a threat to international shipping in the Red Sea. As a key regional actor, Saudi Arabia has a special role to play. Foreign Minister Baerbock will meet her Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Riyadh. Jordan, too, has not only been a key partner for many years but is also directly affected by the unresolved Middle East conflict. And it is an important partner for Germany in our tireless efforts to supply humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Annalena Baerbock will discuss further steps towards peace and stability with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
Recently, there has been a risk of a violent escalation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the security of the Palestinians living there as well as for the prosecution of any acts of violence committed by radical Israeli settlers. Foreign Minister Baerbock and her partners in the region are doing everything in their power to prevent the West Bank, too, from descending into violence. A humanitarian ceasefire and a commitment to the two-state solution are needed now if the violence is to be ended, more humanitarian assistance sent to Gaza and all Israeli hostages released. Annalena Baerbock’s talks with the Israeli Government, including those with her Israeli counterpart Israel Katz and Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, will therefore focus on this. Foreign Minister Baerbock will also meet relatives of abducted Israeli hostages. Talks with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa, are also on the agenda.
Polio vaccinations as the first step towards more humanitarian assistance in Gaza
Since last week, there have also been concrete glimmers of hope: the agreed humanitarian pauses finally made it possible to vaccinate children in Gaza against the polio virus in the face of an outbreak of the disease. The German Government is supporting the World Health Organization vaccination rollout and has been working with partners for many months to ensure that more humanitarian assistance reaches Gaza. The WHO stresses that peace is the most effective medicine. We continue to work tirelessly to this end.