German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that he hoped for a “speedy ceasefire” in war-torn Gaza, AFP reports citing a statement from Berlin.

Merz also “stressed that the urgently needed humanitarian aid must now reach the people in the Gaza Strip in a safe and humane manner” and that the “disarmament of Hamas was imperative”, his office said in a statement.

“The chancellor expressed his hope for a speedy ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. All remaining Hamas hostages, including those with German citizenship, must be released immediately.”

The statement added that Merz “advocated for finding a viable post-war order for Gaza that takes into account Israeli security needs and the Palestinian right to self-determination”.

The chancellor also “emphasised that there should be no steps towards annexing the West Bank”.

Speaking earlier at a Berlin press conference, Merz labelled the events in Gaza as “no longer acceptable”.