Yesterday, Iceland’s Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir joined 21 of her international counterparts in urging Israel to grant immediate access for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
As reported by RÚV, the joint petition demands the Israeli government lift restrictions and allow the United Nations and other aid groups to resume operations in the region.
“This is an unbearable situation for the individuals in the area, especially children, women and the disabled,” Þorgerður told Iceland’s broadcast service. “This behaviour is violating international law.”
Drop in the ocean
Following a near three-month blockade on aid shipments, Israel recently announced it would permit limited deliveries. Nine trucks reportedly entered Gaza yesterday. The UN has dismissed this as wholly insufficient, calling it “a drop in the ocean” compared to the scale of need.
Þorgerður also stressed the broad international agreement behind the appeal. “There is a great deal of consensus not only among the Nordic countries but also the Baltic states, as well as like-minded nations such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan. It’s important to show this broad solidarity.”
Asked whether stronger measures, such as sanctions, are being discussed, Þorgerður replied, “There are many conversations going on. The key point is that there needs to be a response to this great need that is in Gaza.”
