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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end military operations in southern Lebanon and pursue direct peace talks with the Lebanese government, a spokesman said.
During a telephone conversation, Merz also voiced his “grave concern” over developments in the Palestinian territories, insisting that there “must be no de facto partial annexation of the West Bank”, according to the German government spokesman.
The spokesman added that Merz reaffirmed Germany’s continued support for efforts “to reach a diplomatic understanding between the United States and Iran” regarding the conflict launched by Israel and the US on 28 February.
Although Merz initially welcomed the joint US-Israeli strikes, his stance has shifted to one of concern amid growing fears of global economic repercussions and Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf states that risk escalating the conflict into a wider regional war.
On Monday, Merz told Netanyahu that “Germany is prepared to contribute to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz” — but only after the “cessation of hostilities” and “provided the necessary conditions are met”, the spokesman said.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for around 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply prior to the conflict, has largely been suspended due to Iranian threats against tankers.
US President Donald Trump has announced a partial naval blockade of the Strait after negotiations with Iran over the weekend collapsed.
