Germany on Friday suspended the export of “offensive” weapons to Israel, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet approved expanding the war in northern Gaza.

“The Federal government will, until further notice, withhold approval for the export of any military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a press release.

He claimed that Jerusalem’s decision to intensify its military operations “makes it increasingly difficult” to pursue Berlin’s “highest priorities” to release the remaining hostages and reach a ceasefire.

“Hamas must have no role in the future governance of Gaza,” the German government said, while expressing “deep concern about the continuing suffering of the civilian population in Gaza.”

With Israel’s slat

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