Germany updates: Merz meets Jordan's King over Gaza airlift

Friedrich Merz is meeting King Abullah II of Jordan in Berlin on Tuesday, a day after the Chancellor said his government would work with Amman to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Israel has been facing mounting international pressure to ease restrictions on aid supplies amid growing concerns that starvation is spreading in the besieged enclave.

According to a new survey, nearly three-quarters of Germans believe that the government should apply more pressure on Israel to address the devastating humanitarian situation and end the conflict in Gaza.

Find out what else Germany is talking about on Tuesday, July 29, in our daily updates with a mix of news, analysis and background:

07/29/2025July 29, 2025

3 in 4 Germans want government to apply more pressure on Israel

There have been regular rallies in Berlin to denounce Israel's campaign in Gaza [FILE]Image: Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu Agency/IMAGO

Around three-quarters of Germans believe that thier country should exert more pressure on Israel to address the devastating humanitarian situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

According to a Forsa survey commissioned by Stern magazine published on Tuesday, 74% of respondents would like to see the federal government take a tougher stance towards Israel over its conflict against Hamas in Gaza.

The survey reveals a clear divide in opinion based on political affiliation: some 94% of Left Party voters and 88% of Green Party voters are in favor of exerting more pressure on Israel.

Among supporters of the ruling center-right CDU/CSU and center-left SPD (Social Democrats) parties, 77% want the German government to do more to force Israel to ease the catastrophic humanitarian situation and end the war.

The strongest rejection of increased diplomatic pressure against Israel comes among supporters of the right-wing extremist AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, with 37% against applying more pressure.

Still, a majority of 61% of AfD voters are in favor of Germany taking a tougher stance towards Israel.

Germany is one of Israel's staunchest international backers, and defending the security and existence of the State of Israel is one of Germany's "reasons of state."
 

07/29/2025July 29, 2025

Merz meets Jordanian King in Berlin amid Gaza airlift plans

Israel has downplayed reports that thousands in Gaza are facing starvationImage: Ahmed Sayed/Anadolu/picture alliance

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting Jordan's King Abdullah II in Berlin on Tuesday.

According to Jordanian authorities, they will focus on strengthening the two countries' bilateral ties, as well on discussing "the most pressing developments in the region."

The meeting is being held the day after Merz said Berlin wants to set up an airlift to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the support of Jordan. 

"We know that this can only be a very small help for the people in Gaza," Merz said Monday, adding it is "a contribution we are happy to make." 

Jordan has acted as a hub for deliveries of aid and supplies, parachuting food into the Strip over the past two days since Israel announced a "tactical pause" in fighting against Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Calls from the international community have been growing for Israel to do more to address the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where many civilians are facing starvation, according to the United Nations, the World Health Organization and aid groups.

While Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Sunday that "there is no starvation in Gaza," a day later US President Donald Trump contradicted the Israeli leader, saying there is "real starvation" in the besieged enclave and that "we have to get the kids fed."

07/29/2025July 29, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Guten Tag from a rather gray Bonn! 

We will bring you the latest as Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Jordan's King Abdullah II in Berlin, with the pair expected to discuss their plans to airlift aid to Gaza.

As international pressure grows on Israel to allow more humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, the German government is also facing mounting pressure domestically to do more to force Israel to allow more supplies into the Palestinian enclave and end the conflict.

Follow DW for reports, analyses and explainers on these and other stories to keep you up-to-date with all the topics currently making the news in Germany on Tuesday, July 29.