File Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement to journalists following a meeting of the security Cabinet of the German government at the Chancellery in Berlin. AFP
The decision marks a major change of course for the German government, which has been one of Israel's staunchest international allies.
Germany is one of the biggest suppliers of weapons to Israel, providing about 30 percent of Israel’s arms imports between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
It ranks second only to the United States, which accounted for over two-thirds (69 percent) of all arms sold to Israel from abroad during the same period.
But as the civilian toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza have worsened, Germany has recently intensified its subtle criticism of its ally.
Merz said it was "increasingly difficult to understand" how the Israeli military plan would accomplish the stated goals of its 22-month war on Gaza, namely disarming Hamas and securing the release of the remaining captives.
According to Gaza's health ministry, the war has killed or injured over 200,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, devastated much of the territory, and triggered a famine under the Israeli blockade.
"Under these circumstances, the German government will not authorise any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice," he said in a statement.
Merz said that "with the planned offensive, the Israeli government bears even greater responsibility" for providing aid to Gaza's civilians, and reiterated its call for comprehensive access for "UN organisations and other non-governmental institutions."
International concern has been growing over Israel's five-month blockade of Gaza, where a UN-backed assessment has warned that famine has reached a critical stage.
More than 100 aid organisations have already warned that "mass starvation" was spreading across the Palestinian territory.
Merz also said that "the German government urges the Israeli government not to take any further steps toward annexing the West Bank."
Berlin has argued that recognition of a Palestinian state should be "one of the final steps on the path to achieving a two-state solution."
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
Short link: