Constant air raids, widespread destruction, and repeated warnings of impending famine. And just on Friday morning, it is reported that more than 70 Gazans have been killed in Israeli attacks.
I will discuss the need for a much clearer and stronger international response to the growing humanitarian disaster in Gaza, says Gahr Støre to the news agency NTB.
The statement is made ahead of Friday's top meeting within the European Political Community (EPC) in Albania and in light of blocking all humanitarian aid to Gaza since March 2.
"Catastrophic" situation
According to Israel, the blockade aims to put further pressure on the terrorist-stamped Hamas, which governs Gaza and whose large-scale attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, triggered the ongoing war. But the UN and aid organizations have repeatedly warned of unimaginable suffering among the civilian population and that food and medicine stocks in Gaza are depleted.
The situation is catastrophic. Reports of human suffering, famine, and displacement are very alarming, says Gahr Støre.
How has it been possible for Israel to go so far?
The Norwegian Prime Minister simultaneously rejects the proposals for sanctions or a boycott of Israel that have been put forward as "not particularly effective". He says that it is only one country that has real influence on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, namely the USA.
Trump: To be taken care of
The USA has continuously provided military support to Israel during the war. During the spring, President Donald Trump has engaged in achieving a ceasefire, but simultaneously made provocative remarks about wanting to take over the Gaza Strip and create a "Middle East Riviera" and a "free zone" there.
But on Friday in Abu Dhabi, Trump also spoke about famine in Gaza.
We are looking at Gaza. We will see to it that it is taken care of. Many people are starving, said the President to reporters.
His Foreign Minister Marco Rubio is simultaneously urging Hamas to give up and release the hostages the extremist group holds, when the British BBC asks him if the USA fully supports Israel's warfare in light of the recent bombings of hospitals.
With that said, we are not immune or in any way insensitive to the suffering of the Gazans and I know that there are opportunities to help them, says Rubio, adding that peace cannot be skipped as long as Hamas exists.
