German state broadcaster urges Israel to let 2 workers leave Gaza

German state broadcaster ARD on Friday said Israel was blocking two of its long-term Palestinian workers from leaving Gaza, where they fear for their lives, citing security concerns the broadcaster said did not make sense.
Israel’s offensive against Gaza has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, with thousands more feared buried under rubble and most of the 2.3 million residents displaced, facing acute shortages of food, water and medicine.
Israel launched its offensive following an Oct. 7 rampage by Hamas militants who killed 1,200 people and seized some 240 hostages.
The ARD said it had been pushing for two of its workers to be able to leave Gaza for more than two months, with support from the German government. Israel has so far refused, citing security concerns.
The foreign ministry and prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to request for comment.