Germany to lift Israel arms export restrictions, citing ‘stabilised ceasefire’ in Gaza

Germany on Monday said it will lift restrictions on arms exports to Israel, citing a “stabilised ceasefire” in Gaza and recent diplomatic progress in the region.

“The government will, as a general rule, revert to case-by-case reviews in decisions on arms exports and respond to further developments,” government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told the German press agency DPA.

Kornelius said the decision taking effect on November 24 will permit the resumption of exports that Berlin halted in August following the Israeli cabinet’s move to advance the conquest of Gaza City in its war against Hamas.

Germany is the second-largest arms supplier to Israel after the United States.

The spokesperson added that Germany remains committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on a two-state solution and will continue to support reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

On Sunday, Merz held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on “diplomatic and regional matters,” which the premier’s office described as a “good and friendly conversation.”

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urged other countries to take similar measures.

“I welcome Chancellor Merz’s move to revoke the decision regarding the partial ’embargo’. I call on other governments to adopt similar decisions, following Germany,” Sa’ar posted on X.

Germany’s arms exports to Israel have long been a source of controversy and the target of legal challenges brought by rights groups and Gaza residents.

The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), which backed the plaintiffs in their case, has repeatedly argued that Berlin’s approval of weapons shipments to Israel breached international agreements Germany has signed, including the Geneva Convention on the prevention and punishment of genocide.

With inputs from agencies