The Palestinian organization Hamas has launched the largest attack on Israel in recent years, with many people killed and hostages taken in a surprise attack by armed groups that invaded an Israeli town under a barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip. was taken, and the fighting intensified.
Israel announced a declaration of war, with Hamas mobilizing its military and air force launching an offensive on Gaza, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised harsh retaliation.
Here’s the international response to the fighting so far:
Belgium
“Belgium strongly condemns the large-scale rocket attack on Israeli civilians. Violence and terrorism only perpetuate suffering and impede the path to dialogue. Our thoughts are with all those affected. Yes. We are closely monitoring the situation,” Foreign Minister Hajah Rabib wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Belgium strongly condemns the large-scale rocket attack on Israeli civilians. Violence and terrorism only perpetuate suffering and obstruct the path to dialogue. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We are monitoring the situation closely.
— Hadjalahbib (@hadjalahbib) October 7, 2023
european commission
“I unequivocally condemn the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists…Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told X Posted.
I unequivocally condemn the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists.
It is the most despicable form of terrorism.
Israel has the right to defend itself from such heinous attacks.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 7, 2023
Egypt
Egypt warned of “grave consequences” from escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, in a Foreign Ministry statement carried by state news agencies.
He urged them to “exercise utmost restraint and not put civilians at further risk.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also spoke by phone with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to discuss developments and said both sides should exercise restraint to avoid serious risks.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “terrorist attack” against Israel.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks currently hitting Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims and their families and those close to them,” President Macron wrote to X.
The French Embassy in Israel on Saturday described the attack as an “unacceptable terrorist attack”.
“We are horrified by the developments from the south of the country. These terrorist attacks are unacceptable and must be condemned by everyone. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and Israelis.” The French Embassy wrote about X.
I strongly condemn the current terrorist attacks against Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, their families and loved ones.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 7, 2023
Germany
German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock said Berlin “categorically condemns the terrorist attack against Israel from Gaza.”
Burbock said Hamas is “contributing to the escalation of violence,” adding: “The violence and firing of rockets against innocent people must stop immediately.”
Greece
“Greece strongly condemns today the launch of heavy rocket attacks against Israel from Gaza. Greece supports Israel and is deeply concerned by this unacceptable escalation of violence,” the Greek Foreign Ministry posted on X. .
Greece today strongly condemns the launch of heavy rocket attacks against Israel from Gaza.
Greece supports Israel and is deeply concerned by this unacceptable escalation of violence. pic.twitter.com/xQbrsgbBx0— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) October 7, 2023
hezbollah
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah issued a statement saying it was closely monitoring the situation in the Gaza Strip and was “in direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance.”
It added that the statement was “a decisive response to the continued Israeli occupation and a message to those calling for normalization with Israel” after fighters in the Gaza Strip fired a barrage of rockets at Israel. .
Iran
An adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei said that Iran supports the attack on the Palestinians, the semi-official ISNA news site reported.
“We congratulate the Palestinian fighters,” the newspaper quoted adviser Rahim Safavi as saying. “We will support Palestinian fighters until Palestine and Jerusalem are liberated.”
Italy
Italy said it supports “Israel’s right to defend itself” against Hamas’ “brutal attacks”.
The government said it “condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing terrorism and violence against innocent civilians.”
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was at “war” and was confident that “we will win.”
“Our enemies will pay an unprecedented price,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
President Abbas of Palestine
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian people have the right to protect themselves from “the terror of settlers and occupying forces,” state news agency WAFA quoted him as saying.
He was speaking at an emergency meeting with senior Palestinian Authority officials in Ramallah.
Poland
“I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued attacks on Israel. This baseless attack and act of violence, especially against civilians, is unacceptable. Our thoughts and prayers are with the impact of these horrific events. Our thoughts are with all those affected,” Poland’s Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau wrote about X.
qatar
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Israel is solely responsible for the continued escalation in violence with the Palestinian people.
The statement called for utmost restraint on both sides and called on the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as a pretext to launch an unjust war against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Russia
Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab states in connection with the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Interfax news agency reported, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
“It goes without saying that we always ask for restraint,” he added.
Saudi Arabia
The ministry called for an “immediate cessation of violence” between Israelis and Palestinians, the state news agency said.
“We are closely following unprecedented developments between a number of Palestinian factions and Israeli occupation forces that have sparked high levels of violence on many fronts.”
Spain
Spain’s acting foreign minister, José Manuel Álvarez, said on the X program that he condemned the attacks on Israel from Gaza.
“We strongly condemn the very serious terrorist attack against Israel from Gaza. “We are overwhelmed by this indiscriminate violence. Our everything is in solidarity with the victims.”
czech
“The attack from the Gaza Strip is a deplorable act of terrorism against the State of Israel and its civilian population,” President Petr 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.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed his visit to the Czech Republic due to the hostilities, according to a statement from the Czech President’s Office.
turkey
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on Israelis and Palestinians to act with restraint and refrain from hostilities that could worsen the situation.
“We call on all political parties to exercise restraint,” President Erdoğan said at the ruling AK Party’s convention in Ankara. “They must refrain from aggressive behavior,” he said.
ukraine
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it called an “ongoing terrorist attack” against Israel.
“Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks against civilians in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” the ministry said in X.
“We express our support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its people.”
England
Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said Britain also criticized Saturday’s attack on Israel by Hamas.
“The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas. The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself,” Cleverley said in a social media post.
The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians.
The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) October 7, 2023