Helsinki: Finland on Friday called on Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza and allow humanitarian access to the besieged territory. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated her concerns and diplomatic engagements on the US social media platform X, highlighting her recent discussions with Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers, Varsen Aghabekian and Gideon Sa'ar.

According to Anadolu Agency, Valtonen emphasized her appeal to the Israeli Foreign Minister to cease hostilities and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. She also urged efforts towards establishing a ceasefire. Furthermore, Valtonen stressed the urgency for the unconditional and immediate release of hostages, reflecting Finland's stance on the matter.

In her communications, Valtonen reiterated Finland's dedication to upholding international law and pursuing a two-state solution as a means to resolve the ongoing conflict. She also mentioned Finland's recent decision to increase its humanitarian aid contribution to Gaza, as determined in the Finnish Government's budget session.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel's military actions in Gaza have resulted in over 65,100 Palestinian deaths, with the majority being women and children. The ongoing violence has displaced hundreds of thousands and led to famine, claiming the lives of at least 440 Palestinians, including 147 children.