German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Israel to deploy truck scanners Germany supplied and to take immediate steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He described conditions as "truly intolerable" and called Israel's failure to use the scanners "unacceptable." Wadephul said lasting improvement depends on the disarmament of Hamas and has asked Turkey and Qatar to press Hamas to begin that process. He is also seeking support in Geneva for Germany's 2027–2029 UN Human Rights Council bid.
Wadephul Urges Israel to Use German Truck Scanners and Pushes for Rapid Humanitarian Relief in Gaza
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks at a reception in support of Germany's candidacy for the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council at the UN Palace of the League of Nations. (is associated with: «German Foreign Minister Wadephul calls for swift improvements in Gaza») Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Israel on Tuesday to act quickly to ease the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and to deploy truck scanners Germany has supplied to inspect aid lorries.
Speaking in Geneva ahead of meetings with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Human Rights Council, Wadephul said the scanners "are not yet being used by Israeli authorities," calling that "unacceptable." He said the devices were provided so they "can be used at a border crossing to ensure that more humanitarian goods can get through."
FILE PHOTO - Palestinians inspect a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Shati camp, west of Gaza City, amid continuing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. (is associated with: «German Foreign Minister Wadephul calls for swift improvements in Gaza») Bilal Osama/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Immediate Relief and Longer-Term Security
Wadephul described conditions inside Gaza as "truly intolerable" and pressed for a rapid improvement in humanitarian access and delivery. At the same time, he emphasized that sustainable progress will require the disarmament of Hamas. Wadephul said he had discussed the issue with counterparts in Turkey and Qatar and urged them to use their channels of communication with Hamas to begin the agreed disarmament process.
Diplomacy in Geneva
While in Geneva, Wadephul met humanitarian and rights bodies to press both for immediate aid access and for steps toward longer-term security. He is also campaigning for support for Germany's bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term.
Photo caption: Palestinians inspect a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Shati camp, west of Gaza City. (Bilal Osama/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa)
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