Countries across Europe and the Middle East condemned Israel’s resumption of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
France condemned Israeli strikes on Gaza, adding it was calling for an immediate halt to the violence, the French Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
Qatar, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, added that there was a need for Gaza ceasefire talks to resume while also condemning the strikes.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry called on the international community to step in to stop what it described as crimes against the Palestinians while denouncing the airstrikes “in the strongest terms.”
UAE's state media warned of repercussions of military escalation. including risks to "innocent victims" and "exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy." The UAE also "stressed the importance of halting life-threatening punitive measures, restoring electricity, opening crossings, and delivering humanitarian aid urgently, safely, sustainably, and without any obstacles."
Russia expressed “deep regret” over Israel’s latest airstrikes on Gaza and said it condemned any actions that led to civilian deaths.
Turkey said that Israel’s attacks on Gaza amounted to a “new phase in its policy of genocide” against Palestinians and urged the international community to take a determined stance to ensure a ceasefire is upheld and humanitarian aid is delivered.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan added "Turkey stands by the people of Gaza and our Palestinian brothers... We will continue to increase our diplomatic efforts to stop the massacres and to restore peace and a ceasefire."
Iran said on Tuesday it strongly condemned a new round of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States had direct responsibility for “the continuation of genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories.”
UN statement
The UN human rights chief said that he was horrified by strikes on Gaza, which Palestinian authorities say have killed hundreds of people.
“I am horrified by last night’s Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which killed hundreds, according to the Ministry of Health in the Strip. This will add tragedy onto tragedy,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said.
Hamas-run Palestinian health authorities claim Israeli airstrikes killed more than 400 people, threatening the complete collapse of a two-month ceasefire as Israel vowed to use more force to free hostages held by Hamas.