German chancellor urges Israel to consider ‘humanitarian logic’ on Rafah offensive during tense visit

Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz “voiced his concern” and urged Israel to make greater humanitarian efforts on behalf of civilians in Gaza, during a visit on Sunday that was accompanied by noticeably greater tensions than his last visit to Israel last October.

The meeting between Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on short notice, German media reported.

Later, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) canceled and then uncanceled the planned press briefings by the two leaders.

Israel hat das Recht sich zu verteidigen. Wir stehen an seiner Seite.

Die Kosten der israelischen Militäroperation sind hoch. Manche sagen zu hoch. Die Situation in Gaza ist verzweifelt. Als Freund Israels habe ich heute meine Sorge gegenüber Premier @netanyahu geäußert. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/FOHby74kJ9

— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) March 17, 2024

At the briefing, Scholz urged Israel to provide humanitarian in larger quantities to the Gaza Strip, continuously and dependably. “We can’t watch as Palestinians risk dying from hunger,” Scholz added.

The chancellor also warned Israel against its planned offensive into the town of Rafah in southern Gaza, Hamas’ last major bastion and refuge for some one million refugees from other areas of the Gaza Strip.

While he stressed that Germany stands by Israel and that he agreed on the importance of fighting Hamas, Scholz said that it should be questioned if the goal of eradicating Hamas justified “such horrifically high costs,” or if there was another way.

In addition to the military logic of the Rafah offensive, “there is also a humanitarian logic,” Scholz said. “How could the over 1,5 million people be protected? Where should they go?” the chancellor asked.

Deutschland unterstützt Jordanien bei der Luftbrücke für Gaza. Und König Abdullah II und ich sind uns einig: Auch auf dem Landweg muss viel mehr Hilfe kommen. Das wird auch ein Thema meines Gesprächs mit Israels Premier Netanjahu in Jerusalem sein. pic.twitter.com/3JWEGgjNV1

— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) March 17, 2024

Scholz’s message echoed statements from his earlier visit to Jordan, when he said, “Germany supports Jordan with the air bridge for Gaza,” adding that “much more help” should enter Gaza over land.

Netanyahu thanked Germany for its recent support following the “important conversations between friends,” as he described the meeting with Scholz.

He also specifically addressed concerns voiced by Germany regarding the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid.

“I explained that these are our concerns as well because we agree with both goals.”

“The army of Israel has done more to minimize civilian casualties than any other army in modern times. And certainly, any other army faced with such a dense, urban warfare and an enemy that seeks to use civilians as human shields, as Hamas does – often at gunpoint," Netanyahu said.

“We are making an extraordinary effort to increase humanitarian aid from the air, sea and land and it will increase, but the problem is the distribution of aid in Gaza because it was looted by Hamas and others,” he added.

Scholz was among the first of many Western leaders who made solidarity visits to Israel in the aftermath of Oct. 7, visiting just 10 days after the Hamas invasion and brutal massacre.

“It is very important to say this today here during these difficult times in Israel: Germany’s history and the responsibility it had for the Holocaust requires us to help maintain the security and existence of Israel,” he said at the time.

Since then, Germany has followed the lead of the U.S. and other Western nations who have increasingly criticized Israel for failing to protect the civilians in Gaza amid the ongoing war.