Norway calls for cease-fire amid ‘unimaginable suffering’ in Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) – Norway on Monday called for a cease-fire as “unimaginable suffering” of the civilian population continues in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

In a statement, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed that a negotiated two-state solution and respect for international law are the only way to bring lasting stability and security for everyone living in this region.

“Children and young people throughout the Middle East have the right to grow up in peace and security,” he said.

“Since Oct. 7 last year, we have witnessed an intense and dramatic war in the Middle East, which has caused unimaginable suffering for the civilian population and many deaths in Gaza, the West Bank and now also in Lebanon,” he said.

“Millions of people have had to flee. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic,” he added.

According to Eide, conflicts and tragedies unfolding simultaneously in the Middle East must be resolved through negotiations and diplomacy and “not by force of arms.”

“More than ever, we need a cease-fire and the release of the hostages,” he added.

Since Israel launched a brutal war on Gaza last October, it has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children and injured almost 100,000 with thousands still missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings.

Exactly one year into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine. Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice due to its actions in Gaza.