No for the army, yes for the army of workers. Germany declares help in the reconstruction of Gaza

Germany is ready to support the peace process in the Middle East by organizing a conference with Egypt and helping with the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, but it excludes sending Bundeswehr troops there, writes “Der Spiegel” on Monday.

On Monday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz will take part in a peace summit on the Gaza Strip in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, organized by US President Donald Trump.

“Der Spiegel” reports that the Christian Democratic head of government on Friday discussed German policy towards the Middle East peace process in a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Berlin's involvement will consist mainly in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians. The German Chancellor has already promised EUR 29 million, which will go mainly to the World Food Program (WFP), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), reminds “Der Spiegel”.

Moreover, Germany wants to organize a conference with Egypt on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Details are not known here yet. In accordance with the declarations coming from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, Germany expresses its readiness to help restore water and energy supplies to the Gaza Strip.

SPD parliamentary spokesman for foreign policy Adis Ahmetovic previously explained that Germany's role in the Gaza Strip could include “building temporary accommodation, clearing rubble and rebuilding the water supply and sanitation system.”

“Der Spiegel” reminds that Merz also announced that Germany will provide medical and psychological support for the released Israeli hostages.

“The Chancellor also maintained the prospect of lifting the partial embargo on arms supplies to Israel, which he imposed in August in response to the Israeli offensive on Gaza City. According to reports, the German government does not currently issue export licenses for weapons that can be used in the Gaza Strip,” we read on the newspaper's website.

At the same time, the German government does not envisage the Bundeswehr's participation in military security of lasting peace in the Gaza Strip. According to “Spiegel”, Berlin does not categorically rule out the symbolic sending of German soldiers as part of a possible broader European mission.

From Berlin Mateusz Obremski (PAP)

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