...
Sunday . 28 December . 2025
Breaking Update

German Chancellor Merz Expected In Israel On First Official Visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in Israel for talks with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Discussions to focus on

Ni Kostis Konstantinou Breaking News

Jerusalem, 6 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is due to arrive in Israel tonight for his first visit since taking office in May. Upon arrival, he is expected to meet with President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. On Sunday morning, the Chancellor will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, followed by a joint press conference.

According to reports in the German press, the talks are expected to focus on bilateral relations, especially the resumption of military cooperation following the partial lifting of the freeze on German arms exports to Israel in November. The talks will also cover stabilising the Gaza ceasefire and the US peace plan for Gaza’s “day after”.

Regional stability and Germany’s role in supplying humanitarian aid to Gaza are also expected to be discussed. According to the same sources, the issue of rising antisemitism and the safety of German Jews will also be addressed.

Later in the day, Chancellor Merz will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, where he will lay a wreath to honour the victims of the Holocaust, as is customary for every German leader’s inaugural visit.

He is also scheduled to meet relatives of victims of October 7.

In a phone call with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas hours before his departure for Israel, Merz called for reforms within the Palestinian Authority.

He urged Abbas to push ahead with “urgently needed reforms” so that the organisation could “play a constructive role in the post-war order”.

The PA issued a statement saying that Abbas had briefed Merz on how the PA has been ‘reforming and modernising school curricula according to UNESCO standards’.

Abbas also claimed that the law on prisoner payments, known as ‘pay-to-slay’ in Israel, is being abolished and that the PA is ‘preparing to hold general elections as soon as the war ends and the appropriate conditions are met’.

author avatar
Kostis Konstantinou
Live Breaking Updates

Breaking News Coverage

Real-time breaking news coverage from Israel and the Middle East. Stay informed with the latest developments as they happen.

Sunday, 28 December 2025 Updated continuously
Breaking News 2 hours ago New

Swimming Advisory Issued for Haifa’s Carmel Beach

Haifa's Carmel Beach (North and South) faces a swimming advisory after the Ministry of Health detected abnormal seawater test results, prompting ongoing.

Breaking News 3 hours ago New

IDF Spearhead Brigade Completes 100+ Days on Combat Line in Syria

The IDF's 55th "Spearhead" Brigade ends 100+ days of combat operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, significantly boosting Golan Heights security.

Breaking News 3 hours ago New

Suspect in Jerusalem Car Ramming of Police Officer Arrested

Jerusalem police arrested a suspect in a car ramming incident that injured an officer during a traffic stop in Atarot. The driver fled on foot but was.

Breaking News 5 hours ago New

Jerusalem Police Officer Wounded in Car Ramming Attack

Jerusalem police officer lightly injured in car ramming attack in Atarot. Suspect fled on foot; large police force searching for perpetrator.

Breaking News 2 days ago

Police: Last Night’s Incidents In Givot Bar Were ‘Revenge Attacks’

Police confirm that 'revenge attacks' in Givot Bar, involving vandalism and arson of dozens of vehicles, followed a raid in Tarabin village where five suspects.

Breaking News 2 days ago

Israel Recognizes Somaliland as Independent State

Israel officially recognizes the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, signing a mutual declaration with President Abdallah.

Breaking News 2 days ago

FM Sa’ar, Somaliland President Abdullahi Discuss Diplomatic Ties

Israeli FM Sa'ar speaks with Somaliland President Abdullahi following a historic agreement on mutual recognition and full diplomatic ties.

Breaking News 2 days ago

PM Netanyahu and his wife send condolences to the families of those who were murdered in the combined terror attack in the North

Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife send deepest condolences to the families of Aviv Maor and Shimshon Mordechai, murdered in a combined terror attack in the.

Breaking News 3 days ago

Combined Terror Attack in Northern Israel Kills Two Civilians

Two civilians murdered in a combined terrorist attack in northern Israel on December 26, 2025. An Arab assailant from Qabatiya ran over a 68-year-old man and.

Breaking News 3 days ago

Israeli Military Eliminates Terrorist Who Was Rebuilding Hezbollah Infrastructure in Lebanon

Israeli military eliminates terrorist rebuilding Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon's Jumayjimah area on Thursday, violating understandings.