The western nations have condemned the Hamas terrorist group for launching an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Saturday said Israel has the right to defend itself. “I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice,” Sunak via a post on social media site X (formerly Twitter).
Along with Sunak, several other western leaders announced that they stand with Israel. “I express my full solidarity with the victims, their families and their loved ones,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against such an odious attack. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said.
Russia and Turkey urged both sides to exercise restraint and act reasonably. We invite all parties to act reasonably and to stay away from impulsive steps that raise tensions,” Erdogan, who strongly supports the Palestinian cause, said.
“Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks against the civilian population in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We express our support for Israel in its right to defend itself and its people,” the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
The Russian government also maintained a neutral tone and urged both sides to exercise restraint. “We are now in contact with everyone. With the Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs,” Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Russian private news agency Interfax, adding: “Of course, we always call for restraint.”
Iran, which backs the Palestinian cause, has backed Hamas. “Iran supports Palestinians’ attack on Israel,” an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, according to a report by Reuters.
Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched close to 5,000 rockets (it later claimed it launched more than 7,000) rockets into Israel from the blockaded Gaza Strip in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Hamas then sent dozens of terrorists from Gaza Strip to take control of key locations in at least seven towns bordering the blockaded region.
At least 300 people have been injured and 22 people have died as Hamas’ siege extends to a period of over five hours.
“I condemn the indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. I am in contact with Israeli officials, and fully support Israel’s right to defend itself from such terrorist acts,” Stephanie Hallett, US chargé d’affaires said.
Britain’s foreign minister James Cleverly condemned the “horrific attacks” and underlined Israel’s right to self-defence.
Dutch PM Mark Rutte said: “Appalling images from Israel. Terror organisation Hamas is waging an unprecedented attack on Israel… This violence must stop; Israel has every right to defend itself.”
Spain said it was “shocked by the indiscriminate violence” of the attacks on Israel while Ukraine and the Czech Republic said they backed Israel’s right to defend itself.
(with inputs from AFP)
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