BEIRUT — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced on Tuesday she would visit Lebanon the next day amid her "great concern following the end of the truce in Gaza caused by Israeli strikes." She last visited the country in late October 2024, when Israel's all-out war against Hezbollah was already in full swing for a month.

"The images of burning tents in refugee camps are heartbreaking," Baerbock said during a press conference in Berlin. "Children fleeing, internally displaced persons should never be used as a means of negotiation pressure," adding that "everyone to respect international humanitarian law."

German media reported on Tuesday that Germany Germany intends to nominate Baerbock for the post of U.N. General Assembly president, not to be confused with that of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. If chosen, Baerbock, who will leave the position of foreign minister in the coming weeks amid a transfer of power in Germany, would take over the role in early June for a one-year term.

"I especially appeal to the United States to exert their regional influence, as the security of the entire Near and Middle East is also concerned, which will be the subject of my discussions in Lebanon, where I will be traveling tomorrow morning."

Israel unleashed a violent round of intense bombing against Gaza, effectively causing the cease-fire's collapse, and declaring that all future negotiations would take place "under fire." In less than 12 hours, more than 400 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli air force.

During the first phase of this truce, which expired on March 1, Hamas returned 33 hostages, including eight bodies. Israel released about 1,800 Palestinian detainees, but negotiations have since stalled.