Germany's Merz calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, says ‘moment has come'
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Merz asserts Germany's right to question "Israel's" military goals, emphasizing humanitarian concerns for civilians.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, late Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that the Israeli war in Gaza should be brought to an end, claiming Germany can question "Israel's" plans for the Strip.
In a speech to parliament on Tuesday, the German chancellor emphasized that "the moment has come" for a ceasefire in the war on the enclave, claiming "Israel" has a "right to defend itself" and protect its settlers, yet also asserting Germany's right to "critically question what Israel wants to achieve in the Gaza Strip."
Merz called on "Israel" to guarantee dignified conditions for Gaza's civilian population, with particular attention to the well-being of vulnerable groups, including women, minors, and senior citizens.
'Israel' kills 79 Palestinians in Gaza
In 24 hours, as the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip continued, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 79 Palestinians were martyred, including five individuals whose bodies were recovered from under the rubble.
Earlier today, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza stated that ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed 40 Palestinians, as the strikes hit multiple areas, including residential districts and sites where displaced civilians had sought shelter.
A strike by Israeli forces targeting a gathering of civilians waiting for humanitarian aid near the Netzarim junction in central Gaza resulted in 25 Palestinian fatalities and over 150 injuries, with the attack inflicting severe destruction among displaced populations seeking assistance.
Medical officials at Al-Awda Hospital in al-Nuseirat reported that the medical center had admitted 19 fatalities and 146 wounded patients after artillery fire struck crowds of civilians along Salah al-Din Street in southern Wadi Gaza.
The sources reported that no fewer than 62 of the wounded victims were suffering from life-threatening injuries, placing additional pressure on the healthcare system that was already operating beyond its capacity.
This comes as doctors sound the alarm over the risk newborns in Gaza are facing, as "Israel" continues to block humanitarian aid from entering the Strip, creating fatal conditions for its residents.
Gaza's newborns face catastrophe in light of Israeli aid blockade
The lives of dozens of newborns in Gaza hang in the balance as "Israel's" continued blockade prevents the entry of essential medical supplies, including vital infant formula; a crisis highlighted on June 24 by Dr. Asaad al-Nawajaa, a specialist in pediatric and obstetric care, who warned of the immediate dangers facing Gaza's most vulnerable patients.
The majority of these vulnerable infants are being treated at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where healthcare workers are grappling with severe deficiencies in both incubator availability and other crucial medical resources, creating life-endangering conditions for newborns and exacerbating the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Dr. al-Nawajaa stressed that the Israeli-imposed blockade on food and medical aid shipments, with infant formula being particularly affected, has created catastrophic consequences for infants younger than six months who depend completely on formula for their survival.
