German defense minister arrives in Beirut
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived Thursday in Beirut on a surprise visit, amid a war that is raging between Israel and Hamas and growing violence on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Pistorius' ministry said his visit to Lebanon "at short notice" was to thank German soldiers serving with UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed in a buffer zone between northern Israel and southern Lebanon.
It posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the minister also intended to "get informed about the impact of the conflict in Israel and Gaza on the (German) contingent in the region."
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday meanwhile embarked on her second trip to Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks to express "unwavering solidarity" and help ensure Palestinian access to aid.
The trip, due to last until Saturday according to her ministry, will also take her to Lebanon and Jordan and Lebanon.
Before her departure, Baerbock insisted on Israel's "right to defend itself against Hamas terror" and accused the militant group of using the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as "human shields" in its conflict with Israel.
"It is important to me to make clear to Palestinians that we also recognize their suffering," Baerbock said, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "catastrophic."
Baerbock, who already visited Israel and Egypt last week followed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said Berlin was working closely with the G7, European Union and regional partners to ensure aid could flow into Gaza.
She said she would also "use the trip to speak with all those who have channels to Hamas" to discuss how to secure the release of captives held by the group.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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