Next Sunday (12.10.2025) could be a “historic day” for the Middle East, German Chancellor said, Friedrich Mertzreferring to the prospect of releasing hostages held by Hamas and ending armed conflict in Gauze.
Friedrich Mertz also expressed hope that he could then return “a little inner peace” to Germany, while expressing Berlin’s willingness to contribute to the rebuilding of Gaza.
“The agreement must also be approved by the Israeli Council and then the hostages must be released within 72 hours. Israel will then retire from a large part of the Gaza Strip, “Mertz said in an interview on the first channel of German ARD television and expressed hope that the truce in the area would bring” a little inner tranquility “to Germany.
“Above all, I hope that Jewish citizens will feel safer again, that these unacceptable anti -Semitic incidents will also belong to the past, or at least they will be significantly less. There is no more reason to demonstrate for the Palestinians in Germany, “the Chancellor said.
Germany will co -chair with Egypt for the rebuilding conference, Friedrich Mertz said, and clarified that rebuilding begins “simply by creating scenes there, so that people have the most basic hygiene conditions to live a somewhat human life”.
Asked if US President Donald Trump could be honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, Chancellor said the award committee had made its decision long before, long before this possible peace came into force. ” Decisions have been taken this year, Merz stressed, but added that he would call on Donald Trump “to succeed with us in Ukraine what he has now successfully accomplished – possibly successfully – in Israel.”
If he can do this, he noted, “then he will really have achieved a great contribution.” Referring to the future of the Middle East, Friedrich Mertz also said that “Israel has an obligation to allow Palestinians to live in their own state and bears responsibility for people in the Gaza Strip.
In the same interview, the Chancellor also referred to the decisions taken by government partners today for reforms on social welfare issues. Specifically for changes to the basic welfare allowance, he clarified that the emphasis would be mainly placed on reintegration into the labor market and not on long -term funding during unemployment.
“Now we are paving the way for reasonable and good support for those who need it, but we also pave the way for returning to the labor market. This is the real goal. We have to persuade as much as possible of those who receive the allowance today to return to the labor market, “he added, noting that if 100,000 people find employment, more than one billion euros could be saved.
“No one will stay homeless in Germany. Everyone who needs an apartment or a roof over their heads will have it. But for those who are not even registered at the Employment Center, we must assume that they do not need the help of the welfare state, “said Friedrich Mertz, referring to the partners’ decision to cut the allowance if the person concerned does not go to his appointment at the office.