By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - Norway has strongly condemned a recent attack on humanitarian workers in Gaza, expressing deep concern over the rising dangers faced by aid personnel in the conflict-stricken region.
In a statement on Friday, Norwegian Minister for International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim described the incident, where a clearly marked UN vehicle was directly hit by gunfire while approaching an Israeli checkpoint, as "utterly unacceptable."
The vehicle, which was carrying staff from the World Food Program (WFP), had reportedly received multiple clearances from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) before being targeted.
"I am shocked that a clearly marked UN vehicle was directly hit by gunfire while approaching an Israeli checkpoint," Tvinnereim said.
"Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world for humanitarian workers. It is utterly unacceptable that humanitarians, yet again, are targeted while providing lifesaving assistance to civilians. International humanitarian law must be respected, always and everywhere.This incident should immediately be investigated," she added.
Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank amid a brutal Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 40,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since Oct. 7 last year.
At least 673 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 5,400 others injured, and over 10,300 arrested in the occupied territory, according to Palestinian figures.
In a landmark opinion on July 19, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land unlawful and demanded the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.