The German foreign minister called Monday for the Zionist entity to lift the blockade of Gaza in return for Palestinian security reassurances during a visit to the beleaguered coastal enclave

The German foreign minister called Monday for the Zionist entity to lift the blockade of Gaza in return for Palestinian security reassurances during a visit to the beleaguered coastal enclave.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Gaza on Monday at the head of a delegation of 60 German officials intending to review several projects as well as recent developments in the blockaded and war-torn enclave.

During a press conference in Gaza's seaport, he said that the enclave is in need of economic aid and investment that would only come if ‘Israel’ opened the crossings, according to Maan news agency.

He added, however, that opening the crossings would be difficult to achieve “if rockets were still being fired from Gaza into Israel.”

The German foreign minister said that security was the condition for human development.

Earlier this month, Germany announced a $41 million contribution to the UNRWA shelter assistance program in Gaza.

UNRWA director in Gaza, Robert Turner, praised the move by Germany saying: "More than eight months after the summer 2014 conflict ended, the situation in Gaza remains desperate and the people of Gaza urgently need other donors to follow the excellent example set by Germany."