German Chancellor opposes halting shelling of Gaza Strip but supports humanitarian pauses

GermanChancellor Olaf Scholz said he opposes an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amidinternational calls to halt Israel's military operation in the Strip, which iscontrolled by the militant group Hamas.

The Germanprime minister said during a debate organised by the Heilbronner Stimme publication.

"Idon't think that calls for an immediate ceasefire or a long pause, which meansthe same thing, are correct," Scholz said.

In hisview, this would mean that Israel would leave Hamas with an opportunity torebuild and get new rockets. Instead, the chancellor called for humanitarianpauses.

OlafScholz's position contradicts that of many Arab countries, French PresidentEmmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Erdogan. Erdogan is due to meet theGerman leader in Berlin next week.

EU insists on humanitarian pause

Meanwhile,European Union leaders have reiterated calls for an immediate pause in fightingbetween Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and urged the Palestinian movementto release hostages.

This was announced in an official statement by the EUHigh Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

On behalfof the EU, the diplomat expressed "great concern" about the deepeninghumanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"TheEU joins the calls for an immediate pause in hostilities and the establishmentof humanitarian corridors, in particular increased capacity at border crossingsand a defined maritime route so that humanitarian aid can safely reachGazans," Borrel said.

TheEuropean diplomatic chief recalled that the EU recognises Israel's full rightto defend itself within the framework of international legislation andinternational humanitarian law.

"TheEU reiterates the call on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release allhostages. It is essential that the International Committee of the Red Cross isgiven access to the hostages. The EU condemns the use of hospitals andcivilians as human shields by Hamas militants. "Hospitals suffer greatlyas a result of the fighting and this causes terrible civilian and medicalcasualties," Borrel stressed, while calling on Israel to be"extremely careful" to avoid civilian casualties.

He alsoadded that the EU will continue to work with international partners, countriesin the region and the UN to ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid tothe residents of the Gaza Strip.

Accordingto the latest official Israeli figures, an attack by Hamas militants on October7 killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, while another 42 soldiers havebeen killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israel Defence Forcesground operation.

The Israeli militaryestimates that some 240 people were taken hostage in the first attack, amongthem at least 30 children.