Hamas terrorism in Israel: Western leaders condemn attacks

Most of the world reacted with outrage to the deadly surprise attack on Israel by the Islamist militant group Hamas on Saturday, as Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war.

“The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” said a spokesperson for the White House’s National Security Council, adding that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had spoken to his Israeli counterpart and is in “close contact with our Israeli partners.”

US President Joe Biden is expected to speak soon with Netanyahu, according to a CNN report.

The surprise Palestinian attack saw hundreds of rockets hit Israel from Gaza.

More than 500 people were injured and 40 Israelis are dead, according to Israeli officials.

Video showed Hamas gunmen pouring into southern Israel and carloads of Israeli citizens slaughtered in their vehicles, with others being taken at gunpoint into Gaza.

“I condemn the indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” said top American diplomat in Israel Stephanie Hallett in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “I am in contact with Israeli officials, and fully support Israel’s right to defend itself from such terrorist acts.”

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Follow along with The Post’s live blog for the latest on Hamas’ attack on Israel

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French President Emmanuel Macron also used X to condemn the attacks.

“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which are currently hitting Israel,” he said “I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them.”

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s head of diplomacy denounced the hostage takings and demanded that they be released immediately.

“The news of civilians being held hostage at home or in Gaza is appalling,” he said. “It goes against international law.”

The Italian government said it is also closely following the attack.

In a statement from the Italian president’s office, the country said it supports Israel’s right to defend itself.

“Terror will never prevail,” the statement said.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also expressed support for Israel and expressed concern for U.K. citizens on the ground there.

“I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens,” he posted on X. “Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.”

In Russia, leaders called for an “immediate ceasefire.”

“We call on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to immediately ceasefire, renounce violence, show the necessary restraint,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Saudi Arabia, which has been working with the U.S. toward a peace accord with Israel, tried to straddle the situation.

In a statement posted on X, it said it is “closely following the developments of the unprecedented situation,” adding “The kingdom calls for an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, the protection of civilians, and restraint.”

It added, however, that “The kingdom recalls its repeated warnings of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights, and the repetition of systematic provocations against its sanctities.”

The statement also called for the international community to “activate a credible peace process.”

In Iran, meanwhile, leaders praised Hamas. “We congratulate the Palestinian fighters,” said Rahim Safavi, advisor to the country’s leader Ali Khamenei, according to ISNA news agency. “We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem”, he says.