In a phone conversation on Saturday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed that it was crucial to prevent both Hezbollah’s involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict and a larger Middle East war.

“Chancellor Scholz renewed Germany’s full solidarity with the people of Israel in these difficult times and emphasized that Germany stands unwaveringly at Israel’s side,” a spokeswoman said in a statement.

Earlier on Saturday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin was discussing with the United Nations and other partners how to deploy humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Rafah crossing with Egypt, and Berlin is working with Egypt and Israel to find solutions for German citizens stranded there.

Baerbock, who arrived on Saturday morning in Cairo for discussion with her Turkish and Egyptian counterparts, said Israel’s fight against Hamas must be carried out with consideration for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“The fight against Hamas must be carried out with the greatest possible consideration for the humanitarian situation … This is a huge dilemma that is difficult to resolve,” she said.