Germany to Lift Military Export Restrictions to Israel Effective Nov. 24, Citing Gaza Ceasefire

Germany to lift military-export limits to Israel

The German government announced on Monday that it will lift restrictions on exports of military equipment to Israel, effective Nov. 24. The decision follows a ceasefire in Gaza that began on Oct. 10, which Berlin says has fundamentally stabilized the situation.

In early August, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin would not approve exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.” That move came after an Israeli Cabinet decision to take control of Gaza City and attracted attention because of Germany’s traditionally strong relationship with Israel.

Government spokesperson Sebastian Hille told reporters at a regular government news conference that the ceasefire was the central reason for the change in policy. “Since Oct. 10, we have had a ceasefire in Gaza and it has fundamentally stabilized. That is the basis for this decision,” he said.

“We expect everyone to keep to the agreements that were reached — that includes the ceasefire holding, that includes humanitarian aid being provided on a large scale and the process continuing to run in an orderly way, as agreed.”

Hille declined to say whether Israel had requested equipment while the restrictions were in place or whether any shipments had been held back. He added that, once the restrictions are lifted, Germany will return to its usual practice of assessing military export requests on a case-by-case basis.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the decision in a post on X, urging other governments to follow Germany’s example.

What this means: The change restores Germany’s ability to consider military export applications from Israel under its standard review process, while Berlin continues to emphasize the importance of the ceasefire and large-scale humanitarian access in Gaza.