Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that Israel has a right to defend itself in response to the Hamas attack, while he also suggested that the strikes on the Gaza Strip risk violating international law. In an interview with NRK, he reminded Israel not to forget the civilians caught in the conflict and to consider the humanitarian impact of ongoing operations. His comments reflect a cautious stance that endorses self-defense but calls for restraint and accountability in how force is exercised.
Støre emphasized that international law demands proportional force to prevent civilian harm. He warned that the bombardment campaign, especially when it targets areas where civilians are searching for shelter, could cross a line that international norms set to protect noncombatants. The Norwegian leader underscored the urgency of maintaining civilian protections even amid a military response, noting that the human cost of escalation can be severe and long-lasting.
He also highlighted Norway’s position that fighting should pause to allow relief aid to reach people in need and to enable civilians to evacuate to safer locations. The situation in Gaza, he described as catastrophic, with a breakdown of essential services and a growing humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention from the international community and aid agencies alike. The aim is to create space for assistance and to reduce the exposure of civilians to ongoing hostilities.
Støre commented that the Israeli operation in Gaza appears to contravene the rules of war and basic humanity as understood by international norms. He stressed that the pursuit of strategic objectives cannot justify a blanket disregard for civilian safety and rights, urging all sides to adhere to obligations under international humanitarian law while seeking durable solutions that protect noncombatants.
Since October 7, Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel and declared the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, thousands of militants moved across the border, seizing military equipment and taking numerous hostages. In this context, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel was at war and would mobilize its defenses to counter the assault. The conflict rapidly intensified as both sides endured devastating losses and widespread fear among civilians on multiple fronts.
The Israeli Defense Forces launched a broad operation named Iron Swords, with the stated objective of dismantling Hamas and restoring security. In the course of the campaign, hundreds of militant targets in the Gaza Strip were struck by air power. The Israeli National Security Council decided to cut off water, food, vital supplies, electricity, and fuel to the Gaza region to pressure Hamas and disrupt its operational capabilities. On October 13, Israel informed the United Nations that about 1.1 million Palestinians would be evacuated from northern Gaza to safer areas in the south ahead of a potential ground operation, a move that intensified concerns about displacement and humanitarian access.
The evolving conflict has drawn international attention to the way information is managed and the pressures faced by civilian populations. Discussions have centered on the need for urgent aid corridors, predictable humanitarian pauses, and the preservation of civilian life amid escalating military actions. While leaders weigh strategic responses, humanitarian agencies warn of growing needs and call for safe passage, that aid can flow without further endangering vulnerable communities, and that long-term peace remains the ultimate objective beyond immediate countermeasures.
Observers note that the broader regional repercussions hinge on how diplomatic channels respond, how humanitarian corridors are safeguarded, and how civilian protection is prioritized during military campaigns. The crisis underscores the delicate balance between security concerns and universal human rights, and it highlights the importance of international cooperation in delivering relief, documenting abuses, and fostering pathways to humanitarian access and ceasefires that allow civilians to live free from fear and disruption.