Finland, Sweden voice concern over Gaza, criticize Israeli remarks

HELSINKI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Political leaders from Finland and Sweden expressed serious concern on Monday over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting that Israel intends to assume full control of the Gaza Strip.

In coordinated statements shared on the social media platform X, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen underscored the urgent need to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to the enclave. They stressed that humanitarian aid must not be politicized and warned that forced displacement constitutes a war crime and must not be part of any proposed resolution.

The Finnish leadership also called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations grounded in a two-state solution. They urged Israel to meet its international legal obligations and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The statement emphasized that the United Nations and humanitarian organizations must be allowed to operate fully and impartially within Gaza.

Separately, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard strongly criticized Netanyahu's comments. In a written statement to Swedish Television, she warned that if the intention is annexation, it would represent a blatant violation of international law.

Stenergard reiterated Sweden's stance in support of Gaza's territorial integrity and noted that the government has repeatedly demanded unhindered humanitarian access. She added that both Sweden and the European Union are evaluating measures to support Gaza's civilian population.

In an interview with the TT news agency, Stenergard said Sweden would push for EU sanctions against specific Israeli ministers, accusing them of promoting illegal settlement expansion and obstructing progress toward a two-state solution. She did not identify the ministers by name.

Netanyahu's comments came earlier on Monday, as Israel intensified military operations in Gaza. He said Israel would "take control of the entire" Gaza Strip. Enditem