The support of the former chancellor for Israel - that enraged Hamas

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended Israel's operations against Hamas in civilian areas, calling it "an extremely difficult mission" and questioning the lack of criticism of Hamas from within Gaza. Hamas attacked her remarks as "complicity in crimes."

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended over the weekend Israel's need to operate against Hamas even in civilian environments, emphasizing the prime minister's duty to ensure the safety of his citizens. Merkel said this is "an extremely difficult mission," especially given that Hamas hides under hospitals and kindergartens. She wondered why there is little criticism of Hamas from within Gaza, and pointed to a lack of proportionality in international focus on Israel compared to crises in Yemen and Sudan. In response, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem harshly attacked her remarks, calling them "complicity in genocide crimes" and "an attempt to provide cover for terrorism." Merkel also stressed Germany's commitment to Israel's existence as part of German national interest.