Germany's foreign minister threatened unspecified measures against Israel on Tuesday and said Berlin would not export weapons used to break humanitarian law, as he and Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered their most severe rebuke yet over Gaza.

In an interview with public broadcaster WDR, foreign minister Johann Wadephul cautioned against the misuse of Germany’s historic commitment to Israel. He cited intensifying aerial bombardments and dire shortages of essential supplies in Gaza as rendering the humanitarian situation “unbearable”.

European and UK officials ratcheted up pressure on Israel over its latest offensive in Gaza, expanding the international outcry over the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.