Germany backs extension of Gaza pause

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Monday supported the extension of the humanitarian pause in the Gaza war, saying it should be used as "a bridge to a political process" for a lasting solution to the bloody conflict.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has welcomed the current pause and has stressed that it must last "as long as possible" so that hostages can be released and humanitarian aid can be sent to Gaza, deputy foreign ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer told reporters in Berlin.

Baerbock is currently in Barcelona, Spain, where top diplomats from the European Union member states and Middle Eastern and North African countries are meeting to discuss the crisis in Gaza, where a fragile pause in fighting is set to expire later in the day.

"The central thing we are currently struggling to do is see each other's suffering. Because only if the suffering of others can be healed will your own suffering also end. Israelis can only live in security if Palestinians live in security," the German minister said reportedly at the start of the meeting in Barcelona.

The break in fighting between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, was initially scheduled to last four days.

It came into force on Friday morning and, according to the agreement, can be extended for up to 10 days. It initially needed to be determined whether there would be an agreement between Hamas and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled his willingness to do so on Sunday evening. Hamas also said it is seeking an extension to get more Palestinian prisoners from Israel in exchange for hostages.