German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sharply criticized Israel over its operations in Gaza City and the West Bank during his first visit to the United Nations in New York.

Speaking at a UN conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia to support a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, Wadephul said: "Across Gaza, people are living through hell on earth."

The Foreign Minister called for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on a two-state solution, even though it ‘seems farther away than ever.’

He added: "This decades-long conflict cannot be resolved through terrorism, destruction, and killing. It cannot be won or even managed. It must be resolved."