BERLIN: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that he should conclude a deal on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, a German government spokesperson said on Sunday.
During the phone call, Olaf Scholz told Netanyahu that many military objectives in the fight against Hamas have been achieved while civilian casualties and human suffering in Gaza are enormous, according to a German government statement.
“An end to the war in Gaza would be a decisive step toward a regional de-escalation,” the spokesperson said.
The call for ceasefire follows a deadly Israeli airstrike on Saturday that targeted the Al-Tabieen religious school and mosque in Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced Palestinians. According to rescue workers in Gaza, the strike killed 93 people, including 11 children and six women.
The toll represents one of the deadliest single incidents in the nearly 10-month Israeli offensive in Gaza since October 7.
Local residents and humanitarian organizations have condemned the attack as a “horrific massacre” and a dangerous escalation of the conflict.
The international community has responded with widespread condemnation of the airstrike. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed his horror at the strike, while France called for Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law. Jordan’s foreign ministry said that the timing of the attack was an attempt by Israel to obstruct ongoing mediation efforts.
The Israeli airstrike on Gaza school has intensified calls for a ceasefire. International mediators, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, have invited the warring sides to resume negotiations on August 15 to address both the conflict and the hostage situation.
The US National Security Council spokesman, Sean Savett, emphasized the urgency of reaching a ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages.
