Norwegian Minister says suffering of innocent Lebanese under Israeli bombing ´heartbreaking´

Norwegian Minister of Development Asmund Aukrust on Saturday described the suffering of innocent Lebanese civilians under Israeli bombing as "heartbreaking," saying Israel has a duty to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, reported Xinhua.

In a press release, Aukrust said the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is at a breaking point following Israel's massive bombing campaign this week, and announced that Norway would increase its humanitarian aid to Lebanon by 30 million Norwegian kroner (3 million U.S. dollars).

"It is heartbreaking that innocent Lebanese people are being affected," Aukrust said.

He said 300 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded within 24 hours, adding that children, civilians and healthcare workers were among the dead.

Aukrust said it would take years to rebuild what Israel had destroyed in just a few weeks. "We have made it clear that Israel has a duty to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said.

The additional aid will be channeled to the UN Country Programme for Lebanon, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Lebanon and the World Food Programme (WFP), with each receiving 10 million Norwegian kroner, according to the press release.

The funds will be used to support basic needs such as shelter, healthcare, cash assistance and protection, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.

The United Nations has also expressed deep concern over restrictions Israel is imposing on requests for humanitarian access, both south of the Litani River and elsewhere in Lebanon. "We share the UN's concern that Israel is limiting both the UN's and humanitarian organizations' ability to help people living in distress and insecurity due to the hostilities," Aukrust said.

With the latest increase, Norway has contributed 236 million Norwegian kroner in humanitarian aid to Lebanon this year, said the press release.