Germany says humanitarian supplies for Gaza must be ‘significantly improved’

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday called for large-scale humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza during a four-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas.

"The agreement on the release of some hostages is good news. We would like to thank everyone involved," Scholz told a joint news conference with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Berlin.

He said they will continue their diplomatic efforts to ensure that the agreement would be succesfully implemented.

"Humanitarian pauses and the protection of civilians are of great importance.

"And we agree that humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza must be significantly improved," Scholz said.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian group Hamas reached a deal early Wednesday for a four-day pause in fighting and the release of hostages.

Under the Qatar-mediated agreement, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, Israeli media reported.

The deal also includes the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip.

Chancellor Scholz reiterated his government's stance that "Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself within the framework of international humanitarian law."

He also underlined that both Germany and Italy will continue to support diplomatic efforts for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Together we advocate a two-state solution, which would enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace," he said.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.

Authorities in Gaza said Wednesday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave since has risen past 14,532, including at least 6,000 children and 4,000 women.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.