German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Israel to take urgent steps to prevent famine in the Gaza Strip ahead of a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Vienna.

Prior to his meeting with Saar and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger on Wednesday, Wadephul said it was Israel’s duty to prevent Palestinians in Gaza from starving and to ensure they receive aid.

He added that international humanitarian organizations must be granted immediate and unhindered access to deliver assistance to those in need.

The foreign minister also said lasting peace would only be possible if Palestinians were offered a future in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem — without the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas and other Islamist groups on Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage.

Wadephul said Hamas must lay down its arms and release all hostages, including German citizens who remain in captivity in Gaza, adding that Germany would continue efforts to help broker a ceasefire.