Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr considered on Sunday that the Israeli army's response in Gaza to the attack launched by Hamas was disproportionate, denouncing a "catastrophic" humanitarian situation.

"International law stipulates that the reaction must be proportional. Civilians must be taken into account, and humanitarian law is very clear on this subject. I think this limit has been greatly crossed," Jonas Gahr Sture told public radio NRK.

He pointed out that "about half of the thousands of dead were children," adding that "Israel has the right to defend itself, and I realize that it is very difficult to defend oneself against attacks launched from a densely populated area like Gaza."

The Norwegian Prime Minister confirmed that "rockets are still being fired from Gaza towards Israel, and we condemn this," according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse.

He stressed, "We are friends of Israel and condemn the attack carried out by Hamas three weeks ago. We also demand the release of the hostages, but we must express ourselves clearly. The situation is catastrophic and I believe it clearly violates what we call the rules of war or humanitarian law."

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Ede announced that his country is "ready to assume responsibilities in the peace negotiations in the Middle East," and said in response to a question on a television channel, "Norway is ready if we are asked to do so."

Unlike its Nordic neighbors, which abstained from voting, Norway voted on Friday for a UN resolution that “demands an immediate, permanent and sustained humanitarian truce leading to an end to the fighting.”

The non-binding resolution, which was opposed by Israel and the United States, was supported by 120 members and 14 opposed, while 45 abstained from voting, out of 193 members of the General Assembly.