Germany Calls For Solutions To 2 Countries For Palestine-Israeli Conflict

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the General Debate session of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York, United States, Tuesday (19/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO-UN Photo)

JAKARTA - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank and called for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

"In our view, there must be a two-state solution. There must be a possibility of peaceful coexistence between Israel as a Palestinian state and state," the German news agency DPA quoted him as saying while visiting Nuthetal in the state of Brandenburg.

"This is also in the best interests of Israel," quoted by Antara.

Scholz criticized the construction of new illegal settlements carried out by Israel in the Palestinian territories.

"We don't want new settlements in the West Bank," said Scholz.

He has also spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the humanitarian situation in Gaza must be fixed immediately.

"In a phone call with PM Netanyahu, I convinced him of full solidarity with the Israeli people and stressed the urgent need to escalate the humanitarian situation in Gaza," Scholz said in X after the conversation.

"Humanistic ceasefires can provide significant improvements," he added.

Israel has killed at least 12,000 Palestinians in air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 sudden attack carried out by Hamas.

The official death toll in Israel reached around 1,200 people.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches were damaged or destroyed as a result of Israel's relentless attack on the trapped Palestinian pocket.

The Israeli blockade has also cut off supplies of fuel, electricity, and water to Gaza, as well as reduced aid supplies to only a few.

Israel rejected calls for a ceasefire until the hostages arrested by Hamas were released.