German chancellor Olaf Scholz called his trip to Tel Aviv "a visit to friends in difficult times" and asserted Germany's support of Israel.

"As I said in parliament last week, there can only be one place for Germany in difficult times: by Israel's side. The security of Israel and its citizens is Germany's reason of state. And the German parliament supports this stance unanimously."

Scholz also noted the role Germany's history had in this. 

"It is important for me to say, here in Israel in this difficult situation: German history, our responsibility in the wake of the Holocaust, means it is our duty to stand up for the existence of the state of Israel.

"We condemn the bloodthirsty attacks by Hamas terrorists in the strongest terms. The brutal terror against innocent civilians, the execution of defenseless citizens, the murder of babies, the abduction of women, men and children, the humiliation and presentation of Holocaust survivors — it makes our blood run cold."

Scholz added that Israel had a right to defend itself following the Hamas attacks, saying:

"It is clear that Israel has the right in humanitarian law to defend itself against this terror. Every state has the duty to protect its citizens."

"We feel the terrible suffering of all Israelis whose parents, children and siblings lost their lives in this barbaric assault. We share the unbearable worry of all those whose family members have been torn away from their daily lives and brutally abducted," Scholz said.