Meretz: It's time to sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that the time has come to sign a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which has been witnessing a war of extermination waged by Israel since October 2023.

In a speech to the German parliament, he called for humane treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, especially women, children, and the elderly.

"Now, today, it is time to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza," Meretz said.

With full American support, Israel has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, leaving approximately 188,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, more than 11,000 missing, and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Regarding the conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, the German Chancellor stressed the latter's right to exist and to defend the security of Israelis.

He added that for years, the Iranian regime's goal has been to "eliminate the State of Israel," considering that "our national cause is to defend the existence of the State of Israel."

He pointed out that Tehran "funded and armed Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis," noting that the Iranian regime has been "destabilizing" the entire Middle East for decades.

On June 13, Israel, with US support, launched a 12-day military aggression against Iran, targeting military and nuclear sites, as well as civilian facilities. The attack also targeted military leaders and nuclear scientists, leaving a total of 606 dead and 5,332 injured, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health.

Iran responded by targeting Israeli military and intelligence headquarters with ballistic missiles and drones, a large number of which penetrated defense systems, causing unprecedented destruction and panic, as well as 28 deaths and 3,238 injuries, according to the Ministry of Health and Hebrew media.

With Iran "steadfast" and Israel suffering losses, the United States launched airstrikes on the strategic nuclear facilities of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, claiming that Iran's nuclear program was "over." On June 24, the United States declared a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran.