Norway announced a proposal on Tuesday to significantly increase its aid to the Palestinians this year, providing an additional one billion kroner (about €86 million) due to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is teetering on the brink of famine.
This proposed amount, included in the revised budget, represents nearly a fourfold increase compared to the 258 million kroner allocated in last year’s initial financial law.
International Development Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza after seven months of conflict.
She stated that the food situation is critical with a high risk of famine, condemning the entirely human-made crisis and the dire conditions in the West Bank.
According to the proposed budget, Norway plans to allocate a total of 0.98% of its Gross National Income to developmental aid this year.
However, this percentage is subject to change as the center-left minority government must negotiate with other parties for official approval.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide reiterated warnings to Israel against launching a large-scale military operation in Rafah, located at the southern end of the besieged Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have gathered.
Eide stressed that such an operation would be catastrophic for the population, highlighting that more than a million people have repeatedly sought refuge in Rafah from famine, death, and terror, and now they are being asked to leave again with no safe place left in Gaza.
The proposed increase in aid underscores Norway’s commitment to addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
