German chancellor cautions Israel on Gaza aid access and against West Bank annexation

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and expressed hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza while calling for safe access to humanitarian aid there, a German government spokesperson said.

"The chancellor emphasised that the urgently needed humanitarian aid must now reach the people in the Gaza Strip in a safe and humane manner," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"The chancellor emphasised that there must be no steps towards annexation of the West Bank."