Germany's Wadephul pushes for safe land access to Gaza Strip

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Israel to enable safe land access to the war-torn Gaza Strip, saying this is the only way to alleviate the population's "unimaginable" suffering.

"Only by land can sufficient quantities of aid reach the people," Wadephul said on Thursday before departing for Tel Aviv, where he is to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials.

"I therefore urge the Israeli government to allow the UN and international aid organizations safe access and, above all, safe and effective distribution," he said.

Wadephul also plans to meet his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Jerusalem, as well as President Isaac Herzog. A meeting with officials from the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank's Ramallah is also planned.

The German foreign minister emphasized that Israel must "immediately, comprehensively and sustainably remedy the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip," where he said the death and suffering had "reached unimaginable proportions."

Wadephul stressed that Germany would continue to stand by Israel's side to ensure that Hamas finally released the remaining hostages, including German nationals. The Palestinian Islamist militia must disarm and no longer wield any political influence in the Palestinian territories, he said.

"It must never again pose a threat to Israel," he said of the group.

At the same time, the minister warned Israel against further escalating the situation, saying: "Germany will also be forced to respond to unilateral steps."

Wadephul reiterated that Germany is not currently considering recognizing a Palestinian state and that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only way to enable people on both sides to live in peace, security and dignity. For Germany, he said, the recognition of Palestine is more likely to come at the end of this process.