Finland urges Israel to end violence, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Finland on Friday called on Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza and allow humanitarian access to the besieged territory.

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on the US social media company X that she had held separate phone conversations this week with Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers, Varsen Aghabekian and Gideon Sa’ar.

"I urged the Israeli Foreign Minister to end the violence, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and work towards a ceasefire," she said.

Valtonen added that she also conveyed Finland’s position that hostages “must be released unconditionally and without delay.”

She underlined during the conversations Finland’s commitment to international law and a two-state solution.

"I also informed her of the additional contribution decided by the Finnish Government in its budget session to support humanitarian aid for Gaza," she said.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has carried out a genocidal assault on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 65,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and famine has claimed the lives of at least 440 Palestinians, including 147 children.