Israel has begun to withdraw its troops from Gaza. "Now it is important to make sure that the ceasefire holds," emphasised Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.
Together with European Union colleagues, Angela Merkel promised practical support for the agreed ceasefire in Gaza. Germany, France and the United Kingdom aim to help prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza in particular, the Chancellor reported after the meeting.
The Chancellor offered the Egyptian government technical and logistical support for border controls. In this, Germany aims to cooperate closely with the UK and France.
The Israeli side too assured the European heads of state and government of support in efforts to clamp down on arms smuggling. After a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Angela Merkel said in Jerusalem, "We are all convinced that it must be ensured that arms smuggling is stopped. We will provide whatever we can in the way of technical assistance to this end."
The Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had invited leaders to attend the emergency meeting. The government in Cairo has for days been toiling to bring about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh was also attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and EU representatives.
The Chancellor thanked the Egyptian President for his mediation work over the last few weeks, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His efforts have produced a glimmer of hope that a solution can be found, she said. She also praised his efforts to mediate between Palestinian groups. The Palestinian people should at last unite again and move forward together under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, said Angela Merkel.
President Mubarak felt that, since the announcement of the Israeli ceasefire on Saturday night, a solution to the problem could be within reach. The Chancellor emphasised that the Egyptian President has made excellent use of his contacts to both Israel and the Palestinians. He was able to convince Hamas to follow the Israeli example and declare a truce.
The humanitarian situation has priority
"The next few days will be critical in determining whether or not the ceasefire can become a lasting peace," declared Angela Merkel with conviction. For this, however, Israel must be protected against attack in the long term.
Following the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza must urgently be improved, the Chancellor continued. For this, the relief supplies and food aid must be allowed across the border into Gaza.
The German government has increased the funds it has pledged for humanitarian aid several times since the conflict in Gaza began. This is intended to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Currently, 12 million euros are available, of which nine million euros are destined for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This is mainly assistance to provide emergency shelter and to carry out urgent repair work on housing. A sum of two million euros is to go to the International Committee of the Red Cross for aid and protective measures in the medical sector. The German Red Cross Society will receive almost one million euros to enable it to provide in particular ambulances and laboratory equipment. CARE Germany will get 150,000 euros to supply hospitals in Gaza with essentials.
Back to the peace process
Like Hosni Mubarak, the Chancellor urged the rapid resumption of the Middle East peace process. "Progress is urgently needed," she pointed out. She advocated a new political thrust for a two-state solution in the region.
She believes that there are good chances of building on previous negotiation successes. "The building blocks for peace are there," said the Chancellor.
At the same time, she made it quite clear that Hamas will have to recognise Israel's right to exist. "Israel is entitled to security," she underscored.
Before Israeli troops started to withdraw, a unilateral ceasefire was announced by the government in Jerusalem on late Saturday evening. On Sunday afternoon Hamas too declared a ceasefire.