Norwegian foreign minister criticizes Israel for onslaught in Gaza Strip during Kenyan visit

NAIROBI, Kenya

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is in Kenya, strongly criticized Israel on Thursday for its onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

He said the Israeli response to a Hamas attack has caused "terrible suffering" and violated international humanitarian law.

"We have terrible suffering in Gaza, in Palestine, inflicted by excessive Israeli response to what was initially a Hamas terrorist attack on Israel," Eide said at a lecture at the University of Nairobi.

"But all use of military force, all use of military means has to be restrained by the rules of warfare, what we call international humanitarian law, and as we said earlier, Israel is in grave violation of key principles of international humanitarian law," Eide added, noting his comments comes from his expertise as "a former defense minister."

"We now have an Israel in fear of terror, the population in Gaza fleeing trying to escape bombs but also hunger. All people are equal and we are very clear on that," said Eide.

His comments come amid heightened tensions and ongoing violence in Gaza that has drawn international attention and calls for restraint from global leaders.

Eide also spoke about the maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia and urged a peaceful resolution and adherence to international legal frameworks.

Norway and Kenya discuss stronger ties

Eide and Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi met in Nairobi to discuss enhancing bilateral relations, marking 60 years of cooperation.

"In my meeting in Nairobi with FM Musalia Mudavadi today, we discussed how to take our partnership further on investments in renewable energy, support to regional peace and security and UN reform," said Eide.

Mudavadi emphasized the importance of the discussions.

"Our discussions centered around strengthening bilateral cooperation, regional and global peace and security, the blue economy and the green transition. We also explored opportunities to enhance the Kenya-Norway relationship, with the aim of fostering trade, business and multilateral interests for the mutual benefit of our citizens,” he said.

The meeting highlighted key areas of mutual interest, focusing on regional peace initiatives touching on the wars in Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.