BERLIN: In a significant show of support and solidarity, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to visit Israel in the aftermath of the deadly attack carried out by Hamas militants on October 7.
This visit would mark the first by a foreign head of state to Israel since the assault, which triggered a war between Israel and Hamas.
Chancellor Scholz has unequivocally pledged Germany’s full support for Israel, emphasizing that, at this critical juncture, Germany’s place is firmly “at Israel’s side.” German media, citing government sources, reported that the visit could take place as early as Tuesday, with the fate of German nationals who were kidnapped by Hamas during the attack expected to be a key topic of discussion.
While the German government has yet to officially confirm the visit, the top-selling Bild newspaper suggested that it could occur “in the coming days.”
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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had already travelled to Israel on Friday, where she held a Press conference with her Israeli counterpart in Jerusalem. During the conference, she strongly condemned Hamas for using residents as human shields, highlighting the brutality of the militant group’s tactics.
The Hamas attack on October 7, in which its fighters broke through the heavily fortified Israel-Gaza border, resulted in the tragic deaths of over 1,400 people, the majority of whom were civilians. In response, Israel declared war on the Islamist group, leading to a relentless bombing campaign in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in the flattening of neighborhoods and the loss of at least 2,670 lives, predominantly civilians. Additionally, over one million people have been displaced from their homes as Israel prepares for a major ground operation in Gaza.
Chancellor Scholz’s visit to Israel underscores the importance of international support and unity during these challenging times and serves as a testament to the enduring bond between Germany and Israel.
