Germany lifts restrictions on arms exports to Israel as Gaza ceasefire holds

dpa / TIN24 EDITOR: AMIT ALHAT
17.11.2025, 13:55

Berlin (dpa) – Germany will lift its partial embargo on weapons exports to Israel effective 24 November, reversing a controversial decision taken in August amid the intensifying war in Gaza.

Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius confirmed to dpa on Monday that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in place since 10 October, had “stabilized in recent weeks” and was a central factor in the policy reversal.

Additional reasons included progress toward a lasting peace and significantly increased humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.

From next week, Berlin will again examine each export application on a case-by-case basis and “respond to further developments,” Kornelius said.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), currently on a visit to Podgorica, described the step as “responsible and correct,” stressing that the government now regards the ceasefire as sustainable.

“We are returning to individual case decisions and will continuously monitor the situation on the ground,” Wadephul told journalists.

The original suspension was announced personally by Chancellor Friedrich Merz in early August, just hours after Israel expanded its military operations in Gaza.

The move – taken “until further notice” for all weapons that could be used in the Palestinian territory – triggered sharp criticism both domestically and from Israel.

Critics accused Merz of rewarding Hamas and of deciding the policy shift together with Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil (SPD) while bypassing the conservative parliamentary leadership.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed Monday’s announcement and urged other countries to follow Germany’s example.

“I call on other governments to adopt similar decisions,” Saar wrote on X.
Although no new export licences have been issued since spring, the lifting of restrictions could immediately enable deliveries such as engines for Israel’s Merkava main battle tanks produced by the German manufacturer Renk.

Germany had dramatically increased arms exports to Israel in the wake of the 7 October 2023 Hamas terror attacks. Under the previous Scholz government, licences worth almost half a billion euros were approved until the administration ended on 6 May 2025.

The current Merz government had continued exports on a reduced scale until the August suspension.