Germany has suspended arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, following Israel’s approval of a plan to seize control of Gaza City. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said no military equipment that may be used in Gaza will be approved until further notice. He questioned the effectiveness of Israel's military objectives. Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the U.S. Meanwhile, Hamas warned the move endangers Palestinians and accused Netanyahu’s government of sacrificing captives for political gain.

The German government has called on Israel to fulfill its responsibility in ensuring large-scale humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, in coordination with the UN and other relief organizations.

Government spokesperson Stephan Kornelius acknowledged limited progress but said it was “clearly insufficient to address the acute emergency.” He also expressed concern over reports that Hamas and other groups have seized aid supplies. Recently, German Foreign Minister Wadewulf met with Israeli PM Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The war in Ukraine has triggered major shifts in Europe’s defense industry, with Germany at the forefront. The German startup Helsing, specializing in AI and military drones, recently achieved a $12 billion valuation, becoming Europe’s top defense startup. Germany plans to triple its defense budget to €160 billion by 2029, focusing on modern technology and startups. The government is easing regulations to boost smaller innovators, while companies like Swarm Biotactics develop advanced battlefield tech, positioning Germany as a growing power in defense innovation.

Germany has introduced a cutting-edge technology called the ‘cyber cockroach’—a bio-robot combining live insects with miniature cameras and sensors to gather real-time intelligence on enemy positions. Developed by startup Swarm Biotactics, these cockroaches can infiltrate hostile areas and transmit crucial data directly to the military. This innovation reflects Germany’s shift toward integrating AI, small robots, and drones into defense, aiming to revolutionize future warfare and enhance both military and disaster management capabilities.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has labeled Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza as "unacceptable" and has called for an immediate ceasefire along with humanitarian aid for Palestinians.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz said he is in discussions with European leaders and has conveyed his concerns directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also mentioned ongoing talks with the British Prime Minister and the French President regarding the situation.

Merz’s remarks come amid reports that over 58,000 people have been killed in Gaza, marking a significant shift in Germany's stance on the conflict.

Germany is expected to be the hardest hit in Europe by U.S. tariffs, particularly targeting the auto industry. Analysts warn of a 0.4% drop in Germany’s GDP, with ripple effects across Central and Eastern Europe. Ireland also risks major losses if pharmaceutical tariffs are enforced, potentially shrinking its GDP by up to 5%. The EU’s total trade could fall by 8% over five years. Uncertainty may harm investment and jobs, even in countries with limited U.S. exports like France and Spain.

Germany has summoned China’s ambassador following an incident where a Chinese warship used a laser to target a German aircraft during an EU maritime security mission in the Red Sea. The laser targeting endangered the pilot and forced the aircraft to land safely in Djibouti, suspending the mission temporarily. Germany condemned the act as unacceptable. Similar accusations were previously made by the US in 2020. The Chinese embassy in Berlin and Beijing have yet to respond to the latest incident.

Wealth inequality across Europe has widened since the 2008 financial crisis, with Sweden and Germany showing the highest disparity and Belgium the lowest, according to UBS's Global Wealth Report 2024. The Gini index, used to measure inequality, was 75 in Sweden and 46 in Belgium. Inequality rose sharply in Finland, Spain, and Italy, while countries like Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland saw declines. Experts link this trend to rising financial asset concentration and uneven housing values.

Germany has announced it will run special commercial flights from Jordan to bring back German citizens wishing to leave Israel. A spokesperson from the German Foreign Ministry said these flights will continue as long as needed and conditions remain favorable. A flight with fewer than 200 seats is arranged for today, with another planned for Thursday. Although commercial flights from Amman to Jordan are operational and the Israel-Jordan border is open, limited travel options via airlines have prompted Germany to organize these special flights.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described Israel’s strikes on Iran as a “dirty act,” but one that serves global interests by deterring Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. “The Iranian regime has brought death and destruction worldwide through attacks and by supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas,” Merz stated. He expressed deep respect for Israel’s bold actions, adding, “The alternative would have been months or years of enduring terror, possibly with Iran becoming a nuclear power.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, stating that all diplomatic efforts to halt Tehran’s nuclear program have so far failed. Speaking with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq via phone, Merz emphasized that preventing further escalation between Iran and Israel is now the top priority. The German leader thanked Oman for its diplomatic initiatives and mediation efforts in nuclear negotiations.

In Germany, several student protesters were arrested after they entered the Emil Fischer Lecture Hall at a university building in Berlin to protest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the planned expulsion of four pro-Palestinian individuals by the Berlin state government. The students hung banners from the windows that read, “You are complicit in genocide,” “There is only one state, Palestine ’48,” and “Intifada until victory.” Outside the building, around 20 demonstrators expressed solidarity with slogans such as “Free Palestine,” “Boycott Israel,” “No borders, no expulsions,” “Germany is a fascist state,” and “Resistance is a right under international law.” Police later arrested at least five protesters, one of whom was reportedly wearing a press jacket.

Following his election victory, Germany’s Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz has called for Europe to break free from US influence. According to an Al Jazeera report, preliminary results show his party secured 28.6% of the vote—the highest, but still requiring coalition partners to form a government. In an interview after the results, Merz declared that his top priority is strengthening Europe to achieve true independence from the US. He added that he did not intend to make such a strong statement initially. Previously, Elon Musk had controversially endorsed the far-right AfD party, which received 20% of the vote—something Merz did not take well.

Preliminary election results on Sunday evening indicate that Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is on track for victory, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerging as the second-largest party.

Celebrations erupted at CDU’s headquarters, though a small protest was staged outside against party leader Friedrich Merz’s immigration policies.

CDU secured 28.8% of the votes, paving the way for Merz to form a government for the first time. AfD made significant gains, securing 20.2% of the vote, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) dropped to third place with 16.2%.

Voting in Germany’s parliamentary elections began at 8 a.m. local time on Sunday and will continue until 6 p.m. Nearly 60 million voters will choose their representatives for the next four years. According to BBC, this election could have a significant impact on the country’s future in European politics. Preliminary results are expected to be released after 6 p.m. Surveys indicate that immigration is the biggest issue for the German public, with 37% of people considering it a top concern—an increase of 14% from last month. The election is also crucial due to concerns about the economic downturn and rising violence. However, there are fears regarding the rise of right-wing politics. Due to a decline in popularity for current Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Green Party), CDU-CSU leader Friedrich Merz is currently leading the race.