A prominent lawmaker in the coalition of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged the German government to consider imposing sanctions on Israel, including a partial suspension of arms exports or freezing a political agreement at the European Union level, if there are no tangible improvements in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Ziemetie Mahler, deputy leader of the parliamentary bloc of the Social Democratic Party, stated that Israel's claims of having no restrictions on aid provided to Gaza are "unconvincing," emphasizing the need for practical steps if the situation does not improve soon.

Mahler, whose party joined a coalition with the conservatives led by Merz this year, noted in a message to party deputies after returning from a trip to Israel with Foreign Minister Johan Wadivol last week that the Israeli government would not move much without international pressure.

She clarified that "recognition of the Palestinian state should not be off the table," considering that sanctions could be a means to pressure Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Mahler's statements reflect a shift in the German discourse towards Israel, although this shift has not yet translated into tangible political changes, according to informed sources.

Since the onset of the genocide on October 7, 2023, Israel has been committing the crime of starvation against Gaza, tightening its measures on March 2, by closing all crossings to humanitarian, relief, and medical aid, leading to widespread famine.

The ongoing Israeli war, supported by the United States, has resulted in over 210,000 Palestinian martyrs and wounded, the majority of whom are children and women, in addition to more than 9,000 missing persons, hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals, and famine that has claimed many lives.