Swords of Iron: Here is what happened on days 1 and 2

Brazil's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it would convene an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following the biggest attack on Israel in years.

Brazil, which assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council this month, condemned the attacks in a public statement and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel. It also reaffirmed a commitment to a "two-state solution," with Palestine and Israel coexisting within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the largest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, killing at least 40 people and injuring hundreds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate, declaring his country was at war.

"The Brazilian government reiterates that there is no justification for resorting to violence, especially against civilians, and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent an escalation of the situation," the Foreign Ministry said. It added that "the mere management of the conflict is not a viable alternative for addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue, and the resumption of peace negotiations is urgent."

The Israeli Navy eliminated dozens of terrorists in the southern maritime space and on the coastline, in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to an IDF spokesperson.

The Navy destroyed two rubber boats, two other vessels, and an agricultural tool.

לוחמי זרוע הים חיסלו עשרות מחבלים במרחב הימי הדרומי ובקו החוף.

בשעות הבוקר המוקדמות, לוחמי זרוע הים ניהלו מרדף ימי וחיסלו עשרות מחבלים אשר ניסו להגיע לשטח ישראל.

הלוחמים פתחו באש לעברם וסיכלו שתי סירות גומי, שני כלי שיט נוספים וכלי חקלאי>> pic.twitter.com/R2ZBSxk0m6

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 7, 2023

National Unity Party Leader Benny Gantz said on Saturday: "I wish to strengthen all the security and emergency forces, the IDF and its commanders, and to say clearly that it will be heard and echoed from Gaza, through Beirut to Tehran - the entire nation of Israel is united.

"The citizens of Israel all stand behind the system security, and the government has the backing to exact a heavy, painful, and effective price so that such an event will never happen again."

Gantz added: "Now there is no coalition and opposition, only one punch hit the enemy with power."

Japan strongly condemns rocket launches and cross-border attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups into Israeli territory, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

Japan urges all parties to exercise utmost restraint to prevent further harm, the ministry said in a statement.

Russia expresses its most serious concern at the sharp aggravation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.

"We call on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to implement an immediate ceasefire, renounce violence, exercise the necessary restraint and establish, with the assistance of the international community, a negotiation process aimed at establishing a comprehensive, lasting and long-awaited peace in the Middle East," she said in a statement.

Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries over the flare-up, the Interfax news agency reported earlier, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

IDF soldiers fired on Hezbollah terrorists who attempted to breach Israel's north, Israeli media reported.

The terrorists approached the northern border on motorcycles, reports said.

🔴Report: IDF fires at Hezbollah terrorists on motorcycles who approached the northern border near Metullah — @GuyAz pic.twitter.com/FI5As86Ld6

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) October 7, 2023

The incident comes amidst Hamas rockets and attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip.

198 Palestinians were killed during the Israeli attack on Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

1,610 people were injured, according to the same report.

The attack followed the numerous attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as many Israeli towns being invaded by the terrorist group.

Kuwait expressed its "grave concern" over developments between Israel and the Palestinians, blaming Israel for what it called its "blatant attacks".

The foreign ministry in a statement called on the international community to "stop the provocative practices by the occupation" and the "policy of expanding settlements".

UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland on Saturday condemned the attacks on Israel, warning in a statement: "This is a dangerous precipice, and I appeal to all to pull back from the brink.”

He urged maximum restraint and called on all sides to protect civilians.

The United Arab Emirates called on Israel and the Palestinians on Saturday to prevent further violence and preserve the safety of civilians, the official news agency reported, citing the UAE foreign ministry.

"The UAE calls for the exercise of maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid serious repercussions," the ministry said in a statement, according to the report.