Iceland’s minister says Gaza’s civilian crisis cannot be background noise

The Minister for Affairs of Iceland urged immediate attention to civilian suffering in Gaza, saying repeated destruction followed by rebuilding is unacceptable unless the underlying causes are addressed. "The suffering of Palestinian civilians cannot become a background noise. Children are still being killed," the minister said.

He referenced the adoption of a comprehensive peace plan and Security Council resolution 2803 but said violence and civilian harm persist, and he called for negotiated, just and lasting peace, humanitarian access and measures to address illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank. He noted Iceland joined 11 other states in measures addressing trade in goods from settlements deemed illegal under international law.