German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Tuesday that Hezbollah is “the source of the problems” in Lebanon and that both Israelis and Lebanese “suffer from its terrorism,” while reaffirming Germany’s support for the disarmament of Hamas and efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Speaking alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem, Wadephul said the recently reached framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States offers “a glimmer of hope” for both sides of the border. He said Germany is prepared to support the process and stressed that Lebanon must establish a credible monopoly on the use of force while Israel receives clear security guarantees.

The two ministers also signed an agreement under which Germany will provide €5 million annually to Yad Vashem to support Holocaust research, documentation, education, and remembrance.

Sa’ar said Hamas is attempting to replicate Hezbollah’s model in Gaza by offering to step aside for a technocratic government while refusing to surrender its weapons. He reiterated that Israel remains committed to President Trump’s Gaza plan, which calls for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other terrorist organizations in the Strip.

Wadephul echoed that position, saying Hamas must give up both its weapons and its control over Gaza, allowing Palestinians to live freely without the terrorist group’s rule. Addressing Iran, he said long-term regional stability depends on Tehran ending its destabilizing activities and ensuring unrestricted, toll-free passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while emphasizing that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)