International Condemnation and Escalating Tensions in Wake of Palestinian Attacks on Israel

Countries around the world have condemned a wave of Palestinian attacks by land, sea, and air that Israel’s army says left more than 200 dead. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that they were at war and vowed severe retaliation after Hamas’s surprise assault. President Joe Biden affirmed the United States‘ support for Israel, describing it as “rock solid and unwavering.” Talks with Israel on military aid were said to be underway.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s senior adviser, Yahya Rahim Safavi, expressed support for the attack, calling it a “proud operation.” He stated that they supported the Palestinian militants until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem. In Iran, at a parliamentary session, lawmakers chanted anti-Israel and anti-America slogans. Saudi Arabia called for an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides and reiterated their warnings about the dangers of the continued occupation and deprivation of the Palestinian people’s rights.

The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Turk, called for an immediate stop to the violence and appealed to all sides and key countries in the region to de-escalate and avoid further bloodshed. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel and emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also called for the violence to stop immediately, expressing solidarity with Israel and demanding the release of hostages.

Brazil condemned the attacks on Israel and called for all parties to exercise maximum restraint. China expressed deep concern about the escalation of tension and violence between Palestine and Israel and called on all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint. Russia called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both sides to establish a negotiation process to achieve lasting peace with international help. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Israel had an indisputable right to defend itself and called terrorism a crime against humanity.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Israel and Palestinians to avoid further escalation, while France expressed full solidarity with Israel and the victims and rejected terrorism. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, guaranteed by international law. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stood unequivocally with Israel, condemning the “barbarity” of the attacks. Japan strongly condemned the cross-border attacks and called for restraint from all parties.

South Africa expressed grave concern over the recent escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for a credible peace process that delivers a two-state solution and comprehensive peace. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Israel during this difficult time. Venezuela’s government voiced deep concern over the clashes and attributed them to the Palestinian people’s struggle for their historic rights.

In Yemen, the Huthi rebels expressed support for the “heroic jihadist operation” and stated that the attack revealed the weakness of Israel. They viewed the operation as a battle of dignity, pride, and defense.