Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza

Germany will halt the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, reacting to Israel’s plan to take control of Gaza City.

The arms export freeze marks a drastic change of course for Germany, which has long been one of Israel’s staunchest international allies.

Merz said it was “increasingly unclear” how the latest Israeli military plan would help achieve the aims of disarming Hamas and freeing the remaining Israeli…