Germany has halted exports of military equipment to Israel "until further notice" after Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a full military takeover of Gaza. Loading audio...

Chancellor Friedrich Merz made the bold declaration after Mr Netanyahu's cabinet set out its intention to end the war by taking over Gaza City on Friday morning .

It was a swift response by one of Israel's strongest international backers, which had previously stopped short of adopting tougher lines taken against Israel's government by some of its European Union allies.

Mr Mertz will hope the move further isolates Israel, after Tel Aviv's military plan was condemned by the United Nations and supporters of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

The German leader still emphasised that Israel "has the right to def

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