Oslo - Norway said Tuesday it was to give 30 million kroner (4.3 million dollars) in humanitarian aid to international agencies assisting people in Gaza.

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway was "very concerned about the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza."

"We assume Israel will allow necessary access for the transport of humanitarian aid," Store said, noting the immediate need for medical equipment and supplies.

The Norwegian funds were to be channelled via the World Health Organization, UNWRA, the UN agency which assists Palestinians living in the refugee camps throughout the West Bank and Gaza, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Norwegian Aid Committee.

Store said Norway was "prepared" to offer further humanitarian aid.

He recently made contact with counterparts in the Middle East, the Palestinian Authority and France, current holder of the rotating European Union presidency.

"Norway's position is that the violence must cease, a new truce agreed on and that border posts are set up so that humanitarian aid shipments can begin," Store said. (dpa)