2023-10-07 11:02:02
International reactions were quick to follow after the armed wing of Hamas attacked Israel by surprise on Saturday morning, October 7, firing hundreds of rockets from the Gaza Strip towards the Jewish state and claiming responsibility for the operation under the name of “Al-Aqsa Flood”. European countries very quickly condemned the Hamas offensive, which left at least 40 dead in Israel, according to a report from Israeli relief at the start of the afternoon.
“We are following the news from Israel with anxiety. We unequivocally condemn the Hamas attacks. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing”reacted the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in a message on the social network X (formerly Twitter). “The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult times”he added.
A few minutes later, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in turn condemned “with the greatest firmness the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel and its population”. France “expresses its full solidarity with Israel and the victims of these attacks. It reaffirms its absolute rejection of terrorism and its attachment to the security of Israel.added the ministry.
On X (formerly Twitter), French President Emmanuel Macron “strongly condemns the terrorist attacks currently hitting Israel” et “expressed in full solidarity with the victims, their families and loved ones”.
Berlin reacted in similar terms, defending “the right (of Israel), guaranteed by international law, to defend itself against terrorism”just like London, Rome and Madrid, while Israel responded to the Hamas attack with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
Pentagon wants to make sure Israel ‘has what it needs to defend itself’
The United States has also declared itself “firmly” alongside Israel. Washington “unequivocally condemns the unjustified attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians”said Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council. “There is never any justification for terrorism”, she added. She said President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is in close contact with Israeli partners. “We stand with the government and people of Israel and send our condolences to the Israelis who lost their lives in these attacks”adds his press release.
For his part, Pentagon boss Lloyd Austin declared that his ministry will ensure that Israel “has what he needs to defend himself”. “Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering”added the American Minister of Defense in a press release, denouncing “despicable attacks against civilians”.
Ukraine supports Israel, Russia calls for ‘restraint’
Ukraine, at war with Russia, joined the chorus of condemnations, claiming in turn to support Israel in its “right to defend oneself and one’s people”. “Israel’s right to defense is indisputable”insisted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram messaging, adding that “terror is always a crime, not only against a country or specific victims, but against humanity as a whole”.
For its part, Moscow called for ” detention “. “We are in contact with everyone now. With Israelis, Palestinians and Arabs »declared Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Kremlin envoy for the Middle East and Africa, quoted by the Interfax agency.
A call to “the most extreme restraint” was also launched by Egypt for the attention of the Israelis and Palestinians, between whom it is a traditional mediator. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned in a statement against “the serious danger of the ongoing escalation”after Israel responded to the attack with airstrikes and ground fighting took place around the Gaza Strip.
The only message of support for Hamas came from Iran, where a military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, welcomed “this proud ‘Al-Aqsa flood’ operation”.
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