Germany will stop exporting military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip, in response to Israel's decision to expand its operations in the Palestinian enclave's main city.

Germany's decision to curb arms exports to Israel comes in response to Israel's plan to expand its operations in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday in an interview with public broadcaster ARD.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday defended halting some weapons deliveries to Israel amid mounting criticism of the move from some within his own ranks.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany won’t authorize any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice,” Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday, in a strikingly quick response by one of Israel’s strongest international backers to a decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet to take over Gaza City.

German defense company Renk Group AG said it might relocate production designated for Israel to a US plant, responding to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s decision to halt certain arms deliveries to the country.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that despite the decision, Berlin's approach toward Israel has not changed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes Merz will reconsider.

CEO of German defense firm Renk says the company may relocate production for Israeli contracts to the US following Chancellor Merz's suspension of arms deliveries to Israel.

Following Germany's suspension of arms exports to Israel, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has slammed Chancellor Friedrich Merz for faltering in the matter. "He can neither unite his government behind him nor his parliamentary group,

The move followed weeks of debate over reports of hunger in Gaza, but it was precipitated by Israel’s decision to expand military operations there.

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