German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described on Friday the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after more than two years of war in Gaza as “good news,” and confirmed that Germany looks forward to a conference on Gaza reconstruction with Egypt.

In a statement published by InfoBay newspaper, he said that after more than two years of war in Gaza, a ceasefire agreement has finally been reached, which is good news for the peoples of the Middle East and beyond. Merz thanked Egypt and former U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as Qatar and Turkey, for mediating the ceasefire and efforts towards peace.

Merz said: “Now, we need swift implementation. Hostages, including German citizens, must return to their families, and the ceasefire must come into effect and stabilize in the coming weeks. Humanitarian aid must quickly reach the people of Gaza.”

The German Chancellor added: “If these important first steps towards peace are taken, it will be a remarkable success.”

However, Merz emphasized the need to clarify how Gaza will be secured and permanently managed, how Hamas will be disarmed and withdrawn, and how humanitarian supplies will reach civilians and Gaza will be rebuilt.

To this end, he confirmed that Germany is ready to provide medical and psychological support to the freed hostages in the coming days, provide immediate additional humanitarian aid worth 29 million euros, and organize an international conference, in cooperation with Egypt, to rebuild Gaza.

This conference will focus on the most urgent needs, such as rebuilding water and energy supplies, as well as medical care.

Merz explained that the government will review, in light of progress on the ground in implementing the ceasefire agreement, its mandate to export weapons that could be used in Gaza, following restrictions imposed a few months ago on arms shipments to Israel.