Chairman of the Munich Security Conference Christoph Heusgen has criticized the Israeli government's approach to the Gaza conflict, according to the German news agency, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA).
In an interview with the German newspaper Rheinische Post published on Friday, Heusgen expressed concerns over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aggressive tactics aimed at decisively eliminating terrorists threatening Israel's existence.
He highlighted that Netanyahu's strategy has been implemented without regard for the hostages held by these groups and without consideration for American calls for moderation.
Heusgen also referenced the recent killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran, Iran's capital.
He remarked that Iran will need to respond to save face, and he hoped for a moderate reaction from Iran.
He added that the cycle of escalation in the Middle East continues and that the German government realistically has no influence over this situation.
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated further since Israel killed a Hezbollah leader in the suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday evening.
This incident was followed just hours later by the killing of Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for Haniyeh's death and have threatened retaliation.
Norbert Röttgen, a foreign affairs expert from Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), also voiced his concerns over the volatile situation in the Middle East.
He noted that in such a tense situation, things can spiral out of control unintentionally. He also mentioned that the balance of power will shift the moment Iran acquires a nuclear bomb.
The German government has no influence over the situation, but it must prepare for potential escalation, particularly concerning the protection of German citizens in the region.
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