Norway calls for ending Gaza blockade, reconstruction

Norway Monday called for ending the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and for an immediate restoration of the coastal enclave.

In a joint news conference held in the enclave with Mofeed Hasayna, the minister of public work and housing in the Palestinian unity government, Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende told reporters that the world and Israel "bear the responsibility of the hard situation in Gaza", Xinhua reported.

International parties should aid Gazans and reconstruct the Gaza Strip to help return the region to normality, Brende said, adding "the blockade has to be lifted and allow all what Gaza needs".

The senior Norwegian diplomat also stressed the enclave should be economically developed, adding "there are so many jobs needed because 70 percent of the young people are unemployed. This is not acceptable".

Brende said he will discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip Tuesday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Sisi and with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri.