This came based on the German Ministry of Economy's response to a request for information from the parliamentary bloc of the Left Party.
The response letter, sent by State Secretary for Economic Affairs Bernhard Klotisch, stated that "during the period from October 7, 2023 to May 13, 2025, the delivery of weapons and military equipment worth €485.1 million to Israel was authorized."
The agency noted that it was not clear from the response whether the new German government had also issued arms export licenses to Israel since assuming power on May 6.
In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cast doubt on the possibility of issuing further arms export licenses to Israel.
Vadephul explained that German arms exports to Israel will be subject to a review that will determine "whether what is happening in the Gaza Strip is consistent with international humanitarian law or not."
Ulrich Tuden, a defense expert for the Left Party's parliamentary bloc, called for an immediate halt to all arms shipments to Israel, otherwise Germany could be found "complicity in the commission of crimes punishable under international law."
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 179,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.
