Political leaders around the world have responded to the eruption of violence between Israel and Palestinian militants.
Western partners threw their full support behind the government of Benyamin Netanyahu while the Iranian regime has ‘called on Islamic countries to support the rights of the Palestinian people.’
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted earlier today: ‘I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself.’
US President Joe Biden also said in an address: ‘In this moment of tragedy, I want to say to [Hamas] and the world and to terrorists everywhere: The United States stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have her back.’
He added: ‘Israel has the right to defend itself and its people, full stop. There is never a justification for terrorist attacks and my administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.
‘This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage. The world is watching.’
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry Nasser Kanaani was quoted by state media as saying: ‘This operation [by Hamas] is the spontaneous movement of resistance groups and Palestine’s oppressed people in defence of their inalienable rights and their natural reaction to the Zionist’s warmongering and provocative policies.’
He went on: ‘Iran considers that the Zionist occupier regime and its well-known supporters are responsible for the violence and killing against Palestinians.’
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, added: ‘This victorious operation will certainly expedite the collapse of the Zionist regime and promises its imminent annihilation.’
Saudi Arabia, which has lately been working toward a US-brokered deal to normalise relations with Israel, issued a firm statement against the outbreak of hostilities and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: ‘Saudi Arabia recalls its repeated warnings of the dangers of the situation exploding as a result of the continued occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights, and the repetition of systematic provocations against their sanctities.
‘Saudi Arabia renews its call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and activate a credible peace process that leads to a two-state solution in a way that achieves security and peace in the region and protects civilians.’
Turkey has expressed willingness to help de-escalating the renewed conflict, with the Turkish Foreign Ministry saying it was in close contact with all parties involved.
The department said in a statement: ‘We emphasise that acts of violence and escalation linked to this benefit nobody.
‘Turkey is ready to provide any help it can to ensure that the developments in question do not escalate further and get taken under control without spreading to a wider region.’
Hostilities broke out on Saturday morning when gunmen from the Islamist Hamas group fired thousands of rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) responded in kind with a barrage of airstrikes against the occupied Palestinian territory as Hamas militants breached fences at the border and made their way into Israel.
One such strike was caught live on broadcast by Al-Jazeera, with the reporting journalist ducking from view as a rocket hit the rooftop of a building in the background.
Officials report at least 200 deaths and more than 1,100 injuries on the Israeli side, with an estimated 230 Palestinians killed and more than 1,900 wounded.
Hamas militants are also understood to have taken an as yet unconfirmed number of Israeli hostages back to the Gaza Strip, with initial estimates reaching into the dozens.
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has called up reservists and ordered the IDF to clear infiltrated towns of Hamas militants, presently locked in active conflict with IDF soldiers.
Earlier today, he said in an address that Israel would take ‘mighty vengeance for this black day’, adding that Israeli forces will ‘reach every place Hamas is hiding’ and ‘settle the score with anyone who harms’ any of the captives the organisation has taken.
The attack, launched on the major Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, has caught the world off-guard in what’s been described by some commentators as a serious failure of intelligence on part of both Israel and its partners, including the US.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office has advised against all travel to Gaza and the surrounding areas, with British nationals stranded in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories to call +972 (0)3 725 1222 or +972 (2) 5414100.
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