German For Min Calls For 'More Pauses'; Blinken Seeks To Defuse Tensions

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock states that the "Protection of Israel cannot be questioned, but more humanitarian pauses are needed...More needs to be done to protect civilians in Gaza, there cannot be any occupation of the Gaza strip." Adds, amid heightened Israel-Lebanon tensions, Iran dealing with the aftermath of a large terrorist bombing, and continues Houthi attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea that 'There should not be a widening of conflict in the Middle East."

• The comments from the German minister are notable as, alongside the United States, Berlin has been one of the most vocal supporters of Israel in its response to the 7 Oct Hamas attacks. The German gov't has long had a unique relationship with Israel following WWII, and German officials have called ensuring Israeli security Germany's 'reason of state'.
• The US, while continuing to back Israel militarily, is more actively seeking to defuse tensions in the region, with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken beginning a multi-day visit of the Middle East today. Comes days after the State Dep't issued a rare criticism of Israeli ministers. State Dep't spox Matthew Millar called out Fin Min Bezalel Smotrich and Security Min Itamar Ben Gvir for 'irresponsible' rhetoric regarding their comments regarding the prospect of resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza.