Gaza war cannot be resolved through military means, German FM says
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"Israel" backs Trump’s Gaza aid plan, which sidelines the UN and established relief groups, as the enclave faces worsening shortages and mounting international criticism.
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A 10-year-old Palestinian boy, Yazan al-Kafarna, who was born with cerebral palsy, lies at a hospital in Rafah, March 3, 2024 (AP)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized on Sunday that the ongoing war in Gaza cannot be resolved through military means, calling instead for a political solution to take center stage in any future efforts to address the crisis.
Speaking during a press conference in occupied al-Quds, Wadephul reiterated Germany's firm commitment to "Israel’s" security but drew a clear line between that commitment and unqualified support for all of "Israel’s" actions in Gaza.
“Germany will do whatever it takes to guarantee 'Israel’s' security,” Wadephul stated. “But that does not mean we cannot criticize the current course of action. This must not lead to antisemitism.”
The German foreign minister expressed doubts about whether continued military operations in the Gaza Strip would actually enhance "Israel’s" long-term security. He further acknowledged the status of Gaza, stating plainly, “It is clear that Gaza is part of the Palestinian territory.”
'Israel' supports Trump's plan
"Israel" has announced its full support for the Trump Gaza aid plan, a US-led initiative unveiled last week in occupied al-Quds by American envoy Mike Huckabee. The plan, which reportedly aims to deliver humanitarian assistance directly to Palestinians while bypassing Hamas and existing international aid channels, has sparked criticism from rights groups and Palestinian officials.
Speaking at a press conference in occupied al-Quds alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, “Israel fully endorses the Trump Administration's plan presented on Friday by US Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Mike Huckabee.”
Saar praised the plan’s attempt to reroute aid directly to Palestinians, bypassing Hamas, which he accused of diverting supplies for military purposes.
“During this war, 'Israel' allowed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and facilitated it, but Hamas stole that aid from the people,” Saar alleged.
“If the aid continues to go to Hamas and not to the people of Gaza, the war will continue forever,” he added.
Though Israeli forces will not directly distribute the aid, Saar claimed that "Israel" will assist in ensuring its delivery to civilians, a position aligned with Huckabee’s remarks.
Trump, "Israel" bypass UN with opaque Gaza aid plan
The Trump Gaza aid plan was introduced by Huckabee in occupied al-Quds on Friday, a day after the US State Department revealed the formation of a new American-led foundation allegedly tasked with overseeing aid distribution in Gaza. The move drew immediate backlash from humanitarian agencies for excluding the United Nations and other established relief organizations.
Despite criticism, Huckabee defended the project’s inclusive intentions, stating: “We invite people who have been concerned about it to join in this process,” framing the initiative as open to collaboration. However, he offered no clear timeline and provided no specific details about the foundation tasked with overseeing the aid, only stating that operations are expected to begin “very soon.”
Since early March, "Israel" has heavily restricted the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, triggering warnings from aid groups about acute shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, with mounting fears of widespread famine and health system collapse.
Despite overwhelming evidence from international organizations, Israeli officials continue to deny the existence of a humanitarian crisis, framing the blockade as a necessary tool.
Hamas warns of politicized, militarized US relief
Basem Naim, a senior official with Hamas, condemned the US-led initiative, accusing Washington of using humanitarian aid as a political tool. He warned that the plan risks “militarizing aid” and stressed it was aimed at boosting the US image ahead of President Trump’s anticipated visit to the Gulf.
Naim said that bypassing established relief frameworks, including the UN, undermines humanitarian neutrality and threatens to further destabilize aid delivery across the besieged enclave.
Huckabee stated that “several partners have already agreed to be a part of the effort,” though he did not name them. The lack of transparency around the new aid foundation has raised further concerns about accountability and coordination in one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises.
As Gaza continues to face relentless bombardment, the US Gaza aid bypasses the UN model proposed by Trump and Huckabee remains a focal point of international scrutiny, especially as pressure mounts over the role of the US and its allies in sustaining the siege on the Strip.
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