President Obama greeted the news of his Nobel Peace Prize victory at the White House Friday, hours after the surprise decision was announced. Obama said he felt unworthy of the honor.

President Obama: “I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations. To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who have been honored by this prize, men and women who’ve inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.”

Obama was honored despite continuing the Iraq war and escalating the US occupation of Afghanistan. He is expected to travel to Oslo, Norway to accept the award later this year. In the Occupied Territories, a Gaza resident criticized the award in light of Obama’s continued support for the Israeli government.

Gaza Resident: “I am very surprised that a person who, to this day, has not done anything will get this award. We were hoping that (Obama) would support the Palestinian people, especially after the destructive war on the Gaza Strip and the grave suffering that ensued.”