The Hamas attack on Israel will have major consequences for Germany’s cooperation with the Palestinians, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an address to parliament in Berlin.

He said all development aid with the Palestinian Territories was being put under review.

This is a message his centre-left government has reiterated in the wake of Saturday’s attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

“”Our yardstick here will be whether and how our projects support peace in the region and best serve Israel’s security. Until this review is completed, we will not provide any new development cooperation funds,’’ he said.

Mr Scholz also blasted Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, which partially governs the West Bank, and other Palestinian leaders for not clearly condemning the massacres committed by Hamas against Israelis.

“Their silence is shameful,’’ he said.

Mr Scholz said the suffering and hardship of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip would likely only increase.

Israel is pummelling the densely populated and impoverished Palestinian coastal enclave and has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicines, prompting dire warnings about the conditions faced by civilians in Gaza.

“”Hamas is responsible for this with its attack on Israel,’’ Mr Scholz said. 

(dpa/NAN)