Germany's Central Council of Jews makes Gaza aid appeal to Israel

Germany's Central Council of Jews is calling on the Israeli government to allow aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip.

"The Israeli government must accept it has a responsibility for the civilian population in Gaza – and that includes allowing the delivery of aid supplies," Council President Josef Schuster told Berlin's Tagesspiegel newspaper on Wednesday.

"The fight against Hamas is essential for Israel's security, and this security is also close to our hearts," Schuster said, but he added that "the war must come to an end."

Echoing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's comments in Berlin at the beginning of the week, Schuster said "the release of the hostages is the key to everything."

Militants from the Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking around 250 others hostage.

The Israeli government responded with attacks and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. It has been criticized internationally for blocking aid deliveries.