The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday.
Here is some global reaction.
United States
“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
United Nations
U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland said: “This is a dangerous precipice, and I appeal to all to pull back from the brink.”U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk said:
“This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians ... Civilians must never be the target of attack.”
Germany
“Terrifying news reaches us today from #Israel. We are deeply shocked by the rocket fire from Gaza and the escalating violence. Germany condemns these attacks by Hamas and stands by Israel,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on social media.France
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the attacks.“I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them,” he said.
Saudi Arabia
The foreign ministry called for an “immediate cessation of violence.”Egypt
Egypt warned of “grave consequences” and called for “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger.”Canada
“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 everyone affected by this. Civilian life must be protected,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on X.UK
“The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians. The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself,” UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly said.European Union
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said: “I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. It is terrorism in its most despicable form.”Related Stories
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: “We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing.”
Turkey
“We call for restraint from all parties,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said.Russia
Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians, and Arab countries in connection with the escalation of the Israeli–Hamas conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said, urging restraint.Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned what he called a “terror attack” on Israel and said Israel’s right to defend itself “cannot be doubted.”Poland
“I’m shocked by today’s brutal attacks on Israel by Hamas. Rockets attacks and detention of civilians as hostages arouse our deepest opposition. Poland strongly condemns all acts of violence,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said.Czech Republic
“The attack conducted from the Gaza Strip is a deplorable act of terrorism against the State of Israel and the civilian population,” Czech President Petr Pavel said in a statement“The rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas commandos into Israel will block any efforts for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian–Israeli conflict for a long time.”
Italy
“A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was held today on the dramatic situation unfolding in Israel, which has been the target of a military and terrorist attack,” a statement said. “The government is following the evolution of the situation with concern ... Particular attention is being paid to the security of the Jewish community in the country.”United Arab Emirates
“The UAE calls for the exercise of maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid serious repercussions,” the official news agency quoted the foreign ministry as saying.Japan
Japan strongly condemns rocket launches and cross-border attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups into Israeli territory, the foreign ministry said.Brazil
Brazil hopes to prevent escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Saturday, after his country called for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to address the crisis.“Brazil will spare no efforts to prevent an escalation of the conflict, including during its tenure as President of the U.N. Security Council,” Mr. Lula wrote on X.
