Germany will immediately launch an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza as it considers stepping up pressure on Israel over the "catastrophic" situation in the enclave, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday.

Germany plans to establish an airlift to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip with the support of Jordan, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday. The operation is set to begin "immediately," he said following a meeting of the Security Cabinet in Berlin.

Chancellor Merz is hosting King Abdullah a day after he unveiled plans to airlift aid into Gaza with Jordan's help. Meanwhile, a survey shows most Germans want the government to put more pressure on Israel.