A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry indicated today, Friday, that "the German government is monitoring the situation along the border between Israel and Lebanon, as the Foreign Minister prepares to travel to the Middle East for talks." The spokesperson added: "The risk of escalation is unfortunately very real." Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is set to leave on Sunday for Israel to meet her new counterpart Yisrael Katz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, according to the spokesperson. Discussions are also scheduled to take place in the Palestinian territories.