The German chancellor said “lasting peace is possible” in Gaza and that the possible establishment of a Palestinian state, alongside Israel, offered the best prospect for future peace.
Merz visits Yad Vashem, meets Netanyahu
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, reaffirming Germany’s historic responsibility and commitment to Israel’s security. His first trip to Israel came after a Gaza ceasefire and amid strained ties over the war. Merz backed a two-state solution, diverging from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stance, as both countries navigate peace talks and regional tensions.
IDF chief says ceasefire demarcation line in Gaza, ‘a new border’
The chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Eyal Zamir, has called the yellow demarcation line where Israeli forces have withdrawn to in Gaza, a “new border.”
“We have operational control over extensive parts of the Gaza Strip and we will remain on those defense lines. The Yellow Line is a new border line — serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity,” Israel’s military quoted Zamir as saying to reserve soldiers while on a visit in Gaza.
הרמטכ״ל ללוחמי המילואים ברצועת עזה: ״אנחנו פועלים להסרת איומים בכל הזירות. נמשיך להתקדם קדימה ולחזק את יכולות צה״ל אל מול אתגרי העתיד״
“אנחנו לא נאפשר לחמאס להתבסס מחדש, אנחנו שולטים על חלקים נרחבים משטח הרצועה וניצבים בקווים השולטים. הקו הצהוב הוא קו גבול חדש – קו הגנה קדמית… pic.twitter.com/nmR3fT3W7f— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 7, 2025
Under the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas and as part of phase one of the three-phase plan, Israeli forces have withdrawn to positions within the Gaza Strip behind the so-called yellow line, while they remain in control of all areas within that yellow line.
The second phase of the ceasefire would involve Israeli troops’ withdrawal from Gaza, deploying an international security force, forming a technocratic Palestinian committee within Gaza, and Hamas’ disarmament.
Zamir’s statements coincided with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’ visit to Israel, his first since becoming chancellor, where he urged the implementation of the truce’s next steps.
Netanyahu visit to Germany not on the cards
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had to handle a delicate question during his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Asked whether he would reciprocate an invitation for a visit to Germany to Netanyahu, Merz answered:
“There is no reason to discuss this at present. If time allows, I would issue such an invitation, but this is not an issue for either of us at this point in time.”
Netanyahu addressed the issue, saying that while he would be “delighted to visit Germany again” and bring the governments together, there was an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for him.
So Merz tries to gloss over the issue of the ICC arrest warrant as an obstacle to invite Netanyahu to Germany.
But no glossing over for Netanyahu today…
Merz made a pre-election pledge that any Israeli PM can always come to Germany. pic.twitter.com/2eNUribWhL— Michaela Kuefner (@MKuefner) December 7, 2025
In November 2024, the ICC issued a warrant for the arrest of Netanyahu, his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who Israel said has been killed.
They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
Specifically, the ICC has stated there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bore “criminal responsibility” for applying starvation as a method of warfare and for crimes against humanity in the form of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Netanyahu rejects the accusations.
Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which is the founding treaty of the ICC. Germany is a signatory.
Earlier in March, before he officially became chancellor, Merz said he had promised Netanyahu “we will find ways and means for him to visit Germany and also to be able to leave again without being arrested in Germany.”
A unique friendship: German-Israeli relations through history
Germany, the country of the perpetrators of the Holocaust, became a diplomatic partner for Israel soon after 1948. The relationship was marked by both critical phases and tensions.
From the horror of the Holocaust to Willy Brandt’s first state visit to Israel in 1973, DW takes a closer look at what has marked this unique relationship over the years in this article.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/merz-in-israel-working-toward-goal-of-new-middle-east/live-75044496
