German Leader Backs US-Led Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his support for a U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan for Gaza in a call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday. Merz endorsed the proposal as a potential foundation for lasting peace. The Chancellor told President Abbas that implementing the plan could help establish stability after the conflict ends. "If this is achieved, it can play a constructive role in the post-war order," Merz stated. The U.S. proposal, which has been presented to both Israeli and Palestinian leaders, aims to halt the current fighting and address long-term security and governance issues. International mediators are urging both parties to accept the terms. Germany, a key ally of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, has consistently called for a sustainable ceasefire. Chancellor Merz's public endorsement adds significant European diplomatic weight to the American initiative.