Norway prepares to recognize independent Palestinian state: Report

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Norway's parliament has approved a resolution that calls on the government to be ready to recognize Palestine as an independent state, local media reported Thursday.

The resolution, brought by the ruling coalition, was passed after eight out of the 10 parties in parliament voted in favor of it.

It "asks the government to be ready to recognize Palestine as an independent state, without making a final peace accord a condition."

Earlier proposals highlighted peace as a condition for recognition, the Newsinenglish website reported.

The resolution was approved by a resounding majority, with only the Christian Democrats and the conservative Progress Party voting against it.

Norway is one of the few Western countries that has called for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,500 Palestinians have since been killed, including more than 7,800 women and children, and more than 29,200 injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.