Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has raised serious alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Middle East as a result of the conflict involving Israel, the USA, and Iran. In a statement, Eide described the situation as increasingly dramatic, noting that at least 16 countries are directly impacted by the war that erupted following military strikes by Israel and the USA on Iran. He emphasized the unacceptable reality that civilians are being harmed amidst these hostilities and called for urgent intervention to protect them.

Eide highlighted several tragic examples of civilian casualties, including the attack on a girls' school in Iran that resulted in the deaths of approximately 170 individuals, mostly children, as well as numerous strikes on hospitals across Iran. Adding to the urgency of the situation, he reported that around 800,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to the conflict. These incidents underscore the dire implications of military actions on critical civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, homes, and vital utilities like water and electricity supply.

The Foreign Minister is urging all parties involved in the conflict to de-escalate tensions and seek diplomatic resolutions to avoid further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis. His statements reflect a growing global concern for the implications of the violence and the urgent need to safeguard innocent lives caught in the crossfire.