Israel's Saar urges Germany to be open to new Gaza aid mechanism

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on Germany to be open to the distribution of humanitarian aid to people in the Gaza Strip via newly established centres operated by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

"This effort has the potential to release the Palestinian population from the chokehold of [Palestinian group] Hamas and to enable the end of this war," Saar said in Berlin following a meeting with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul.

The new relief efforts by the GHF have come under increasing scrutiny as they bypass international aid organizations including UN efforts.

There have been Palestinian reports that people looking to receive aid at the new centres were killed by Israeli shelling.

The Israeli military and the US-based GHF have denied the accusations.

While critics have accused the GHF of endangering civilians who have to make their way through the embattled Gaza Strip to reach the distribution centres, Saar said the new system allows aid to reach Gazans directly, without Islamist Hamas militants being able "to take advantage of the aid."

"We believe that expanding it will help shorten the war."