Frankfurt (Germany), 6 May (LaPresse) – ’Israel is one of our main concerns. The new foreign minister will travel to Israel next weekend on my behalf. I don't want to anticipate anything.’ This was stated by the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, speaking to Ard. ‘We are preparing this trip together, but it must be clear that the Israeli government must respect its obligations under international law, and that humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip must be provided. And I repeat: we are watching the developments of recent days with considerable concern,’ Merz said, stressing that ’ Israel has the right to defend itself against the brutal attack by Hamas terrorists on 7 October and everything that followed, but Israel must also continue to be a country that lives up to its humanitarian obligations, especially now that this terrible war is raging in the Gaza Strip and where this clash with Hamas terrorists is necessarily taking place.’ Merz did not go into detail when asked whether he would confirm an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany.