play videoplay video
Video duration: 08 minutes 40 seconds 08:40
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Eide said that what is happening in the Gaza Strip is a real disaster that is happening before the eyes of the world, stressing that the Israeli army entering the city of Rafah is not a smart move at all.
He added - in an interview with Al Jazeera - that it is unacceptable to enter an area that houses more than a million people, and said that his country warned Israel in the strongest terms against undertaking this operation.
Eddy pointed out that Israel did not show any retreat from the operation, even though many countries announced their rejection of this potential operation, including the United States of America.
He said that the current situation requires a ceasefire in order to bring aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip and move towards a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, noting that he spoke with Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh to link what is happening in Gaza to resolving the entire issue.
Eddy expressed his country's conviction that there is no alternative to the two-state solution in accordance with the Oslo Accords and peaceful coexistence between the two peoples. He said that all countries - especially the United States - must strive to impose this option, stressing that it is even in the interest of the current extremist Israeli government, as he put it.
He added, "We must all take action to achieve this solution, and we will have to strengthen the Palestinian authority and institutions in order to help reach a solution."
Regarding some countries stopping funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Norwegian official said that he does not agree at all with this behavior because UNRWA is very important to the Palestinian people everywhere, and there are millions of refugees who depend on the agency, “which we believe has complete transparency.”
Eddy concluded by saying, "We will continue to fund the agency. We sent it 26 million euros over the past week to ensure it continues to provide services, and we are communicating with allies to continue funding."
Source: Al Jazeera