The Israeli ambassador to Germany says his government is taking German criticism of its campaign in Gaza seriously, one day after Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Israel’s military actions “can no longer be justified by the fight against Hamas terrorism.”

“When Friedrich Merz voices this criticism of Israel, we listen very carefully because he is a friend,” ambassador Ron Prosor told ZDF on Tuesday.

Speaking at a conference in Berlin on Monday, Merz slammed Israel’s action in Gaza in a rare direct rebuke.

Germany has generally taken a more cautious approach than other EU states in criticizing Israel during the war in Gaza, which broke out in 2023 following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Noting that Berlin must exercise more restraint than any other country when commenting on Israel, Merz said: “But if lines are crossed, where international humanitarian law is really being violated, then Germany, the German chancellor, must also say something about it.”

“Frankly, I no longer understand the Israeli army’s actions in the Gaza Strip or what their goal is,” he said.

Israel has launched another offensive in Gaza, with dozens of deaths reported in the war-torn coastal territory daily.

The move has sparked international condemnation, amid warnings that the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing the risk of starvation due to Israel’s recent blockade of humanitarian aid.

Some countries, including Spain, are even floating the idea of imposing an arms embargo on Israel over the situation in the sealed-off Palestinian territory.