Norway Condemns Israel’s Gaza Offensive as ‘Beyond Limits’ on Second Anniversary of October 7 Attacks

On the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide delivered a strong statement condemning the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, describing it as having “gone far beyond the limits” allowed by international and humanitarian law.

Eide called the initial Hamas attack on Israel a “brutal act of terrorism” against Israel and the Jewish people and expressed sympathy for all affected by the violence and resulting trauma. Yet he emphasized that the devastating warfare waged by Israel since then in Gaza has inflicted “unimaginable suffering” on the Palestinian population and reduced Gaza to ruins.

Norway reaffirmed that while all nations have the right to self-defense, their actions must always comply with “international law, humanitarian law, and human rights.” Norway’s position criticizes what it perceives as Israel’s disproportionate and excessive response, which continues to cause civilian casualties and humanitarian crises.

Eide highlighted the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid into Gaza. He warned that without these measures, the physical and psychological trauma endured by the victims will continue for years, deepening instability in the region.

Looking toward a lasting resolution, Norway called for a negotiated political solution enabling two states — Israel and Palestine — to coexist peacefully within internationally recognized borders. The Foreign Minister also condemned rising antisemitism in Norway related to the conflict, stressing the importance of combating hate speech and discrimination in all forms.

This statement comes amid ongoing international debates and efforts, including recent ceasefire proposals, to resolve nearly eight decades of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sources: Al Jazeera