Foreign Minister at Gaza summit in Cairo: ‘Urgent help needed in Gaza’
News story | Date: 21/10/2023 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘Getting sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza is urgent. In addition, we must prevent the conflict between Israel and Hamas from escalating further and having serious regional consequences. If there is to be a lasting peace, we must think beyond weapons. Even now, in the middle of this conflict, we must think about what will happen afterwards,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
Heads of state, government ministers and representatives of many countries are meeting today in Cairo to discuss the immense human suffering in Gaza as well as the opportunities for a future solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide emphasised that all parties must comply with international humanitarian law and that all actions taken in self-defence must be necessary and proportionate.
‘All parties in conflict have a duty to protect civilians, hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure. Civilian buildings are not to be used for military activity. Civilians must never be used as shields,’ Mr Eide said.
Norway has been clear about Israel’s right to self-defence. ‘All self-defence measures must be carried out in accordance with humanitarian law. Civilians must be protected. This applies to all parties,’ Mr Eide said.
Gaza aid must be hurried
The need to transport emergency aid to the population of Gaza was a key topic of the meeting. About a million people so far have fled their homes in Gaza. That is almost half of Gaza’s population.
‘It is encouraging that an initial convoy carrying relief supplies has now been let into Gaza. But getting sufficient humanitarian aid to the exhausted population in Gaza is urgent,’ said Mr Eide.
According to Mr Eide, the parties involved are duty-bound to make it possible for such aid to come in.
‘We are asking the parties for a humanitarian pause in the fighting to allow, among other things, emergency supplies to enter. Humanitarian access must then be maintained and expanded. The needs are enormous. International law requires ensuring that the population has access to humanitarian assistance and that they are protected from the worst effects of the war, including while combat activities are in progress. The most important single action that would alleviate the population’s suffering is re-establishing water and electricity supplies from Israel,’ Mr Eide said.
The Foreign Minister also issued a strong appeal for the release of the approximately 200 Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza.
‘I ask that all hostages in Gaza be released immediately. The International Committee of the Red Cross must be permitted access to everyone who has been taken hostage,’ he said.
Norwegian nationals
About 200 Norwegian nationals remain in Gaza. About 100 of these are children. During the meeting, Mr Eide expressed concern that none of them as yet has been able to leave Gaza.
‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still working across multiple channels to address this crisis. Our main focus is getting the 200 or so Norwegian nationals out of Gaza. We are extremely worried about them. At the moment, there are no safe places in Gaza,’ Mr Eide said.
Two-state solution
Resolving the conflict in the long term was another major issue discussed at the Cairo meeting. The Foreign Minister underscored Norway’s continued support for the two-state solution.
‘Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing war, I am convinced that there is no alternative to resuming political discussions and continuing on the road to a peace process. Thirty years after the Oslo Accords, Norway still believes that the two-state solution and an end to the occupation will benefit both parties, and that this would be the best way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,’ said Mr Eide.
‘This process has been deadlocked far too long, and developments on the ground have led in a negative direction for many years. The goal must be a two-state solution. But to move forward, all parties must be ready to think outside the box and contribute substantively to getting there.’
Increased humanitarian support
During the meeting Mr Eide announced a new Norwegian contribution of NOK 60 million to support humanitarian work by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
‘As chair of the international donor group for Palestine (the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee), I urge the international community to continue giving economic support to the Palestinian people. This is not the time to turn our backs on the Palestinians,’ Mr Eide said.
‘Norway’s total contribution to humanitarian efforts now stands at NOK 200 million. On top of what was previously allocated we are now redirecting funds from assistance measures that cannot be carried out due to the war, so that these funds will instead serve as emergency aid,’ said Mr Eide.