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Germany recently announced it will suspend exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza, following the Israeli security cabinet’s approval to take control of Gaza City. This decision comes as several countries have imposed full or partial suspensions on arms exports to Israel since its military operations began.
### Why It Matters
The growing list of countries suspending arms exports to Israel reflects increasing concerns about the humanitarian impact of these operations, including high civilian casualties and potential violations of international law.
### What To Know
1. **United States**: By far the largest supplier of weapons to Israel (two-thirds of all arms sold).
2. **Germany and Italy**: Second and third largest suppliers, accounting for 30% and 5%, respectively, between 2013 and 2023.
Here are details on countries that have implemented full or partial suspensions:
– **Germany** – Noted it will not authorize exports of military equipment to Gaza until further notice as of August 2025.
– **Slovenia** – Banned all arms trade with Israel, including transit and imports, becoming the first European Union country to do so in August 2025.
– **Canada** – Suspended new arms export permits but continued preapproved contracts in March 2024.
– **Italy** – Imposed a total suspension of new arms exports as of October 2024, though it is fulfilling prewar orders.
– **Japan** – Itochu Corporation ended its partnership with Israeli arms maker Elbit Systems at the Defense Ministry’s request, which was not a formal government embargo.
– **Belgium** – The Wallonia region had already banned exports in 2009. A Belgian court ruled in 2025 that Flanders should halt all military equipment transits to Israel.
– **The Netherlands** – Halted the export of F-35 fighter jet parts but a December 2024 court ruling rejected a full ban.
– **Spain** – Suspended new arms exports as of October 2023.
– **United Kingdom**: Suspended about 30 out of roughly 350 arms export licenses in November 2024 due to concerns the weapons might violate international humanitarian law.
### The Hague Group
Twelve countries, known as The Hague Group (Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Malaysia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Oman, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa), committed at a July 2025 summit to halt all arms transfers to Israel. Turkey later said it would follow.
### What People Are Saying
**German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a statement on August 8:** “The German government finds it increasingly difficult to see how these goals are to be achieved through even tougher military action in the Gaza Strip. Therefore, we will not approve any exports of armaments that can be used in Gaza until further notice.”
### What Happens Next
As the conflict in Gaza escalates, other countries may follow suit by suspending arms exports to Israel. However, the U.S., which supplies about two-thirds of all weapons to Israel, has shown no signs of restricting military support.
[](https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2699289/israeli-tanks.jpg?w=1200&f=6125fedbf96df24060176d03584dbaf3)
*Israeli army main battle tanks positioned near the border with Gaza on August 5, 2025.* Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
Which country recently announced the suspension of exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza?
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