Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Kravik said on Monday that Norway will allocate $9.2 million the Palestinian government and $4.6 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Near East.

According to Kravik, "Conflicts and destabilization in the Middle East have led to death and destruction on a massive scale. Millions have been displaced."

After the catastrophic war on Gaza, the Palestinian economy is a disaster, prompting the Norwegian government to boost its help to the government to $9.2 million and UNRWA to $4.6 million, Kravik said.

Last month, Norway announced its intention to seek an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion condemning "Israel's" recent legislation banning cooperation with UNRWA.

Back in October, the Knesset passed two laws prohibiting UNRWA operations in Israeli-occupied territories, citing allegations that UNRWA staff in Gaza were involved in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, the UN launched an investigation, resulting in the dismissal of nine UNRWA employees. UNRWA reports that two-thirds of its premises in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and 243 of its staff members have been killed since the genocide began.

On Sunday, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, announced the agency suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Karem Abu Salem crossing between "Israel" and the Gaza Strip, citing security concerns.

In a post on X, Lazzarini said the humanitarian organization was halting aid deliveries due to the hazars on roads through the crossing, noting "On 16 November, a large convoy of aid trucks was stolen by armed gangs. Yesterday, we tried to bring in a few food trucks on the same route. They were all taken."

Related News

UNRWA chief condemns Israeli efforts to sideline Gaza aid agency

UN chief warns of man-made famine in Gaza, urges unrestricted aid

#BREAKING 🛑:
We are pausing the delivery of aid through Kerem Shalom, the main crossing point for humanitarian aid into #Gaza.

The road out of this crossing has not been safe for months.
On 16 November, a large convoy of aid trucks was stolen by armed gangs.
Yesterday, we…

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) December 1, 2024

Gaza economy left in 'utter ruin', 350 years needed to salvage Strip

The United Nations warned in October that Gaza's economy has been left in "utter ruin" due to the Israeli year-long war, with recovery to pre-war levels expected to take 350 years.

According to a report from the UN's trade and development arm (UNCTAD), the war that began last year has devastated Gaza's economy and infrastructure.

The report, presented at last month’s UN General Assembly, noted that economic activity in Gaza—already weak before the war—has nearly come to a standstill, except for essential humanitarian health and food services amid severe shortages of water, fuel, and electricity, along with significant access restrictions.

Construction output has plummeted by 96%, agriculture by 93%, manufacturing by 92%, and the services sector by 76%. Unemployment reached 81.7% in the first quarter of 2024, a rate the UN predicts will worsen or remain high as military operations continue.

According to the report, the brutal strikes have resulted in "an unprecedented humanitarian, environmental and social catastrophe and propelled Gaza from de-development to utter ruin,” emphasizing that “the far-reaching repercussions will linger for years to come, and it may take decades to return Gaza to the status quo ante."

“Once a ceasefire is reached, a return to the 2007–2022 growth trend would imply that it would take Gaza 350 years just to restore GDP to its level in 2022.”

The report said the past 12 months of war had followed a period between 2007 and 2022 when the economy of Gaza had been severely affected by restrictions imposed by "Israel" on the movement of goods and people.

The UN called the revenue loss caused by the restrictions and military aggression "staggering".