German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul attends a press conference in Lisbon, Portugal, May 26, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Pedro Rocha

Germany will decide whether or not to approve new weapons shipments to Israel based on an assessment of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview published on Friday.

Wadephul questioned whether Israel‘s actions in its war with Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza were in line with international law.

“We are examining this and, if necessary, we will authorize further arms deliveries based on this examination,” he said in an interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The comments build on a shifting tone from Berlin and mounting international criticism of Israel in recent days as the humanitarian situation in Gaza after an Israeli aid blockade tests German support.

Wadephul said it was important that Israel can defend itself given the threats it faces, including from Houthi terrorists, Hezbollah, and Iran.

“For me, there is no question that we have a special responsibility to stand by Israel‘s side,” he said, reiterating the principle of “Staatsraeson” which underpins German support for Israel in atonement for the Holocaust of World War II.

“On the other hand, of course, this does not mean that a government can do whatever it wants,” he said.

On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said airstrikes on Gaza were no longer justified by the need to fight Hamas, whose Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel killed some 1,200 people and triggered the war.