The German government has announced the gradual resumption of arms exports to Israel, which had been frozen in August, following the Gaza ceasefire agreed last month. The resumption process will begin on November 24.

According to a government spokesman in Berlin, Germany will now return to the practice of individualized assessment for each request to export weapons systems to Israel, taking into account developments in the region and security needs. The change marks the end of the partial suspension implemented in August, when the Israeli government had decided to seize Gaza City as part of its operations against Hamas.

Germany is the second largest supplier of weapons systems to Israel after the United States, which gives the decision particular weight. The resumption of exports covers systems that had been “frozen” in previous months, and the government leaves open the possibility of further adjustments depending on the continuity of events in the Middle East.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, immediately welcomed the announcement in a post on the X platform. “I welcome Chancellor Merts’ decision to lift the partial ’embargo’ decision. I call on other governments to follow Germany’s example,”he said.

At the same time, the German government spokesman stressed that Berlin remains committed to promoting a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution. He also noted that Germany will continue to support the reconstruction of Gaza as part of international efforts to stabilize the region.

The announcement follows a telephone conversation the previous day between Chancellor Merz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, the discussion was held in a “good and friendly atmosphere” and dealt with diplomatic and regional developments.