Oct 7 (Reuters) – Palestinian Islamic extremist group Hamas on Saturday launched its biggest attack on Israel in years.
Below are the global reactions.
America
“Terrorism can never be justified, and we stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel and express our condolences for the lives of Israelis lost in these attacks,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department. ”. .
“In the coming days, the Department of Defense will work to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
united nations
“This is a dangerous precipice and we call on everyone to back away from the brink,” said Thor Wendsland, the United Nations special envoy for peace in the Middle East.
Volker Tuerck, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said:
“This attack has had a terrible impact on Israeli civilians…Civilians should never be the targets of an attack.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
State news agency WAFA quoted Abbas as saying the Palestinian people have the right to protect themselves from “the terror of settlers and occupation forces.”
Iran
An adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei congratulated the Palestinian fighters on Saturday, the semi-official ISNA news site reported. He quoted Yahya Rahim Safavi as saying, “We will support Palestinian fighters until Palestine and Jerusalem are liberated.”
Iranian state television showed members of parliament rising from their seats and chanting “death to Israel”.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Qanani said, “The operation used elements of surprise and other complex methods, demonstrating the Palestinian people’s trust in the occupiers,” ISNA reported.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
“Today we received terrible news from Israel. We are deeply shocked by the rocket fire and escalating violence from Gaza. Germany condemns these attacks by Hamas and stands with Israel,” Scholz said on social media. said.
French President Emmanuel Macron
President Macron strongly condemned the attack.
“I express my full solidarity with the victims, their families and those close to them.”
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an “immediate cessation of violence.”
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Egypt warned of “serious consequences” and urged “exercising utmost restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further risk.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“Canada strongly condemns the current terrorist attacks against Israel. These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself. Our thoughts are with the impact of this incident. “My thoughts are with all those affected. Civilian lives must be protected.” With X.
British Foreign Secretary James speaks wisely
Mr Cleverley said: “The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas. The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
european union
“We unequivocally condemn the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. This is the most despicable form of terrorism,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: “We unequivocally condemn the attack by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan
“I call on all parties to exercise restraint,” Erdogan said.
qatar
The Foreign Ministry said Israel was solely responsible for the continued escalation of violence with the Palestinian people and called on both sides to show restraint.
Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia
Bogdanov called for restraint, saying Russia was in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries regarding the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
Zelenskiy condemned his “terrorist attacks” against Israel and said Israel’s right to defend itself was “undoubted.”
hezbollah
Hezbollah, a Lebanese group backed by Israel’s arch-enemy Iran, said it was in “direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance movement” and called the incident “a decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation and a commitment to “This is a message to those who seek normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.” ”.
Polish President Andrzej Duda
“We are shocked by today’s brutal attack on Israel by Hamas. The rocket attack and the taking of civilians hostage evoke our deepest opposition. Poland strongly condemns all acts of violence,” Duda said. ” he said.
Czech President Petr Pavel
“The attacks from the Gaza Strip are deplorable acts of terrorism against the State of Israel and its civilian population,” Pavel said in a statement.
“Rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas special forces into Israel will long-term impede all efforts towards a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
Italian Prime Minister’s Office
“A meeting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, regarding the dramatic situation developing in Israel, which has been the target of military and terrorist attacks,” the statement said. “The government is following the development of the situation with concern… paying particular attention to the safety of the Jewish community in the country.”
Kuwait
Kuwait expressed “grave concern” over developments between Israel and the Palestinians and condemned Israel’s “blatant aggression”.
United Arab Emirates
“The UAE calls for maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid serious consequences,” state news agency quoted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying.
Japan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it strongly condemns the firing of rockets into Israeli territory and cross-border attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
kenya
“We disavow the planners, financiers and perpetrators of this heinous attack. Israel has the right to retaliate, but we call for a peaceful path to resolving this unfortunate development.” Korir Shingoei, Principal Secretary at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told X.
uganda
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said: “It is unfortunate that renewed violence has erupted in Israel and Palestine. It is an act of doing.” – Combatants by belligerents. ”
Edited by Reuters bureau.Editing: Jan Harvey, Andrew Cawthorn, Ross Russell
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