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FRANKFURT, Germany, July 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Germany's chancellor on Sunday called on Israel's prime minister to quickly provide aid to "starving" civilians in Gaza, in a phone call between the two leaders.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz "expressed his deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza," said a government statement.

"He called on Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu to do everything in his power to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He urged him to provide the starving civilian population in Gaza with urgently needed humanitarian aid now. This aid must reach the civilian population quickly, safely, and in the required quantities."

Faced with mounting international pressure, Israel on Sunday declared a "tactical pause" in fighting in parts of Gaza and said it would allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes into the war-ravaged territory.

On Wednesday more than 100 aid agencies and right organisations warned that "mass starvation" was spreading in Gaza.