The German government announced it will lift restrictions on arms exports to "Israel," a move set to take effect on November 24. The decision follows what Berlin described as a "stabilized" ceasefire in Gaza that has been in place since October 10.

Government Spokesperson Sebastian Hille confirmed the move, stating, "The restrictions on arms exports to Israel... will be lifted." Hille added that the decision comes after reassessing conditions on the ground, claiming expectations for adherence to the ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The original suspension, introduced in August 2025, was framed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a response to "Israel's" declared plans to occupy Gaza City, which he said complicated the justification for continued arms transfers.

At the time, Merz noted that it was "increasingly challenging" to reconcile the stated objectives of disarming Hamas and freeing captives with the military escalation.

Surge in exports since October 2023

Following the start of the war in October 2023, German arms exports to "Israel" surged dramatically. While export approvals in 2022 amounted to roughly €32 million, by October 2023, licenses worth €203 million had been greenlit, €198.68 million of which came after October 7.

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Between October 2023 and May 2025, Germany approved €485.1 million worth of arms exports to "Israel," covering everything from firearms and ammunition to tank engines, electronic systems, and naval equipment. These transfers filled critical gaps for "Israel," especially as US manufacturers were strained by military commitments to Ukraine and European partners.

Germany became "Israel’s" second-largest arms supplier after the US, accounting for about one-third of its military imports during this period.

August ban: Loopholes, legal theater

The August 2025 announcement of halting military equipment exports appeared to mark a turning point, but closer scrutiny revealed that the so-called ban excluded existing contracts, which continued to be fulfilled.

Critically, the same day the halt was announced, Germany approved a €500 million export license for the INS Drakon, a Dolphin-class submarine. Government lawyers would later argue that the license had been approved earlier, despite evidence to the contrary.

Other loopholes also weakened the suspension’s impact. The restriction only applied to items "clearly usable in Gaza," leaving space for shipments ostensibly intended for other regions. Additionally, German firms like Renk AG and Sig Sauer immediately explored relocating production to the US to bypass restrictions.

Between August 8 and September 13, Germany issued no new approvals. But within the next nine days, €2.46 million in "other military goods" was approved. Compared to the €250 million authorized between January and early August 2025, the actual disruption was minimal.

Despite mounting domestic pressure, 73% of Germans favored tighter arms controls, and over 30 NGOs demanded a full embargo. German courts routinely dismissed legal challenges to the exports, citing plaintiffs’ lack of standing and the confidential nature of licensing decisions.

A return to status quo

Despite headlines about a policy shift, the August suspension did little to interrupt Germany’s arms pipeline to "Israel". Existing contracts were honored throughout the 108-day suspension. Critics, including the BDS movement and human rights groups, labeled the suspension a public relations gesture rather than a genuine policy change.

As of late November, Germany will resume full military cooperation with "Israel", reaffirming what many see as its enduring commitment to the doctrine of Staatsräson, the idea that "Israel’s" security is a cornerstone of German foreign policy, irrespective of the legal and humanitarian implications.