These days, while the toppling of the Assad regime in Syria has brought a glimpse of hope, the outlook for two million people in Gaza remains infinitely bleak. Large parts of the Strip have been left completely in ruins. Hundreds of thousands of families have been displaced several times over and are living in constant fear of losing what few possessions they have left during this second winter of war. We see primary school aged children who have lost limbs and whose entire families have been killed. Looking into the eyes of tens of thousands of girls and boys, we see how they are suffering from malnutrition; they will bear these mental and bodily scars for decades.

After the terrible crimes that Hamas committed on 7 October, we and our partners did everything in our power to secure the release of the hostages. We did all we could so that the terrorists would not succeed with the cynical game they were playing, and so that Israel, one of our closest partners and friends, would find the right path in its difficult fight against terrorism. As successful and as significant as its military operations may have been against those who want to erase the State of Israel from the map, the unspeakable human suffering in Gaza is simply unfathomable and untenable.

Humanitarian access points are an international obligation with which all parties to a conflict must comply. The International Court of Justice has issued clear orders, yet our appeals were not heard and our offers of humanitarian support have been repeatedly impeded. However difficult as the situation may be, and however much terrorists may be hiding behind the people in Gaza, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is no longer tenable. The military operations are claiming far too many civilian victims.

Warehouses in the vicinity of Gaza are currently stocked with the food, medicine and tents that are so urgently needed. Yet there are neither enough humanitarian access points nor can the items be safely distributed in Gaza itself. The Israeli Government has a duty to finally adapt its military operations, improve humanitarian access and establish a secure environment for aid workers in areas controlled by the IDF. The only ones to benefit when criminals steal aid deliveries and resell them at exorbitant prices are the Hamas’ terrorists.

What the people in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank need most right now is a ceasefire and the release of the hostages – who still include Germans. I appeal to Hamas to now let the hostages return to their families and to accept a deal. And I call on the Israeli Government to now let a massive flow of humanitarian aid through to all of Gaza.

Because only a ceasefire will bring an end to suffering and death – so that we can finally work on a political solution for Gaza. This solution must not be reached without consulting the Palestinians, and it must not be obstructed by a reality that is created by one side. I also want to say in no uncertain terms that those politicians in Israel who are arguing for the occupation and settlement of Gaza are thereby opposing long-term peace in the Middle East. The painful experiences in the West Bank have shown that endless occupation cannot bring about peace. Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank must be able to shape their future in their own state. This is our only option if terrorism is to be contained and Israelis and Palestinians are to live side by side in peace, security, dignity and self-determination.