German Chancellor Scholz calls for Gaza deal with ‘longer-lasting ceasefire’

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday called for a deal to free hostages held by Hamas militants in war-ravaged Gaza accompanied by a “longer-lasting ceasefire”.

“We need a hostage deal with a longer-lasting ceasefire… We understand the hostage families who say after more than five months, ‘The time has come for a comprehensive hostage deal for saving those who are still captive,'” Scholz said at a joint press appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.