Berlin (dpa) – In Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and President of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas, the two most senior representatives of the German state are travelling to Tel Aviv on Sunday. After visiting Israel Steinmeier will travel on to Oman and Qatar.
Ahead of his visit to Israel, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stressed Israel’s right to self-defence against Hamas while at the same time calling for compliance with humanitarian rules.
He also expressed his support for a two-state solution and stressed the need to create more long-term prospects for Palestinians and security for Israel in order to achieve peace. “If this is to end with a peace that has a chance of a lasting future, that can only mean one thing: two states!” he said.
The German Federal President expressed his “utter joy” that the Hamas terrorist organisation had released a first group of hostages. He thanked the negotiators and announced his intention to discuss how the negotiations can proceed on his visit to Qatar.
After the Islamist Hamas organisation released a second group of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, more hostages are to be freed from the Gaza Strip on Sunday. On Saturday evening the Red Cross brought 13 Israelis and 4 Thai citizens out of Gaza and into Egypt. The group included four holders of German dual nationality.