Secret Arms Deal Unveiled: Thousands of German Rockets En Route to Israel
Watan-In a move that could grant Israel more capability to annihilate Palestinians, Germany has agreed to supply the occupying army with precision weapons for use in the war on Gaza.
According to the German magazine Der Spiegel, the government will provide artillery shells to Israel to support its war on Gaza, indicating that the relevant authorities have already agreed in principle to fulfill the Israeli government’s request.
Israel had requested Germany in November of last year to approve the provision of 10,000 precision-guided artillery shells of 120mm caliber, manufactured by the German company Rheinmetall.
According to the German newspaper, both sides agreed to maintain silence about this operation, considering that Tel Aviv does not want any conclusions to be drawn about its military capabilities.
During the same period, Israel made a similar request to the United States and its other partners, and President Joe Biden approved the delivery of 14,000 tank artillery shells worth about $106 million in early December, bypassing Congress.
The German government is actively working to implement the deal after obtaining the necessary approvals, considering the use of German army stockpiles since the manufacturer cannot meet the demand immediately. The government will replenish the army’s warehouses from the manufacturers’ production within a period of six to eight months.
The newspaper stated that Berlin found itself in an unenviable position, trying to balance between showing unconditional support for Israel on one hand and asserting what it claims is Israel’s right to self-defense on the other. There are warnings that Israel must adhere to international laws, work more to avoid civilian casualties, and allow humanitarian aid to enter the besieged population.
In recent weeks, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, as well as Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck, expressed concerns about whether Israel’s behavior in Gaza is appropriate or not.
The newspaper noted that despite these “cautious criticisms,” Berlin “does not want to leave any room for doubt” that it supports Israel through all possible means.
