A German government spokesman said Wednesday that Berlin "opposes an escalation" of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, after it was previously announced that Israel approved plans to take over Gaza City.
Germany is finding it "increasingly difficult to understand how these actions will lead to the release of all hostages or a ceasefire," government spokesman Steffen Meyer told reporters.
Plans for an expanded offensive on Gaza City have been met with widespread condemnation because of what it would do to the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians sheltering in the city, which has some of the last remnants of critical infrastructure in Gaza. It is also the most densely populated area of the Palestinian enclave.
Israel has said that Hamas militants continue to use Gaza as a base of operations to carry out attacks.
Families of Israeli hostages have also expressed opposition to the plan and held mass rallies on Sunday. Many fear the offensive will further endanger the remaining hostages. About 50 people taken hostage in October 2023 remain missing, and 20 of them are thought to be alive.
