German Foreign Minister: Israel can kill civilians in Gaza to protect itself

In the view of the German Foreign Minister, Israel has the right to kill civilians by bombing the areas where they live, if there are "terrorists who misuse it."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed her country's parliament on the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 of last year.

The right to self-defense "does not mean attacking terrorists, but destroying them," Baerbock said.

She added: "When Hamas elements hide among people and behind schools, civilian places lose their protected status because terrorists violate them."

"I made clear at the United Nations that civilian sites could lose this protected status if terrorists abused it," she continued.

She considered that "Israel's security is part of Berlin's interest" regardless of who is in power in Germany, as it is not a partisan issue.

Meanwhile, the German minister said she is making daily efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza.

She continued: "One thing is clear, Israel cannot enjoy lasting peace if it is not available to its Palestinian neighbors."

Germany is one of Israel's biggest allies in Europe, while Ireland is one of the countries closest to the Palestinian people.