Overview
- Germany announced up to €52.6 million in new aid for Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, including about €39.4 million for Syria, and a further €4 million top-up to a Syrian recovery fund, bringing its total contribution to €110 million.
- The Interior Ministry reaffirmed it is working on an agreement with Syria to enable deportations starting with convicted criminals, while the asylum office has resumed decisions for a limited group described as young, able-bodied, lone men.
- Berlin will not permit short trips to Syria by people with protection status without risking that status, the Interior Ministry confirmed after an internal review.
- UNHCR warned Syria’s capacity to receive returnees is exhausted, noting about one million people have already gone back primarily from neighboring countries.
- Wadephul’s regional tour included meetings in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Bahrain, a brief stop in Israel to relay messages, a call for a UN-mandated international force for Gaza, and a signal that German travel advisories for Israel may be eased with details expected soon.