German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call, urging the Israeli leader to quickly provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

According to a German government statement, Merz “expressed his deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza”.

“[Merz] called on Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu to do everything in his power to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He urged him to provide the starving civilian population in Gaza with urgently needed humanitarian aid now,” the statement said.

“This aid must reach the civilian population quickly, safely, and inthe required quantities.”