#MiddleEast crisis: Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock has emphasized in a phone call with the newly appointed Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi that an escalation in the Middle East must be urgently prevented. The conversation on the phone was also about German citizens imprisoned in #Iran.

I spoke with Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock at this critical moment for the Middle East. The UK and Germany are pushing for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and for much more aid to enter Gaza. We also reiterated our shared support for Ukraine, which is unwavering.

We are very concerned about the situation in the #WestBank. Yesterday‘s statement: ⬇️

Today marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Established by the UN in 2010 it aims to draw more attention to the growing number of people missing globally esp. through conflict, war & means of political repression. It’s a crime against humanity.

Children in #Gaza are receiving much-needed #polio vaccines today. Ultimately, the best vaccine for these children is peace.

وفيما يتعلق بظهور حالات شلل أطفال في قطاع غزة، أوضحت وزيرة الخارجية🇩🇪 #بيربوك أن وقف إطلاق النار الإنساني أمر ضروري. وأضافت:"لذلك نواصل بصفتنا الحكومة🇩🇪 العمل الجاد مع شركائنا المحليين بشأن وقف إطلاق النار الإنساني ونبذل كل ما في وسعنا لضمان إمكانية التطعيم ضد شلل الأطفال."

The news of the murder of six hostages by the #Hamas is almost unbearable. Together with their families, we have worked tirelessly for them over the past 11 months. Hamas must release all the hostages. 1/3

We strongly support the talks on a humanitarian #ceasefire. It would stabilise the entire region. The dying in #Gaza must stop, the misery must be relieved. The start of the polio immunisation campaign by the #UN is a good sign. 3/3

#الرياض و #عمان و #تل_أبيب و #رام_الله: وزيرة الخارجية الألمانية #بيربوك 🇩🇪 Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock تسافر مجددا إلى الشرق الأوسط والأدنى. اقرأ ما يوجد في برنامج الزيارة هنا: t1p.de/2ku4g

Through intense joint #diplomacy, we have managed - for now - to break free from the cycle of strikes and counter-strikes. No one should now pour oil on the fire. This applies especially to Iran and its proxies. - Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock with Ayman Safadi in #Amman 1/4

All efforts must be directed towards a humanitarian #ceasefire leading to the hostages' release & to an end of the dying. There is no military solution for Gaza. As a friend of Israel I say: The fate of the remaining hostages is paramount - other considerations must stand back.

Reports about many deaths following the Israeli airstrike on Al-Mawasi are terrible. The fact that Hamas uses civilians as human shields is disgusting and a crime. The Israeli army is obliged to protect the civilian population as best as possible. 1/3

Nowhere is safe in #Gaza. Humanitarian space is shrinking constantly: evacuation notices apply to 86% of the area. Humanitarian infrastructure and warehouses must also be left behind. Necessary preparations for winter cannot be made. 2/3

The terrible incident in Al-Mawasi shows: There is no military solution for #Gaza. We need a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of the hostages more urgently than ever, so that the dying ends. 3/3

In the #MiddleEast, all our efforts are directed towards de-escalation & a humanitarian #ceasefire. To get more aid into #Gaza & the hostages released. This requires close coordination, especially with partners in the region. Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock on the phone today with عبدالله بن زايد.

We are happy to introduce Ms. Annika Clasen-Edris, the new official spokesperson for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for the German Federal Foreign Office. Annika Clasen-Edris 🎥©️: Germany @ Arab World

I strongly caution all sides against further escalation in the #MiddleEast. For months, we and our partners have been holding talks, making endless phone calls, striving for even the slightest progress. Strikes and counterstrikes will not bring the region any closer to peace.

Once again, the entire region is holding its breath. We urgently need concrete steps in the #MiddleEast to de-escalate and avoid further civilian casualties. FM Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock was in touch with her counterparts in Israel and Lebanon about necessary next steps.