World leaders called for an immediate cessation of violence on Saturday, as Hamas lobbed thousands of rockets at Israel and infiltrated southern communities, killing civilians and leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that Israel is at war.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X on Saturday to share his support for the people of Israel suffering under the latest barrage of terror from Hamas.
Modi wrote that he was "Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour."
The United States' State Department said that they would be in close contact with Israeli officials in light of Hamas' new attack on Israel.
"The United States condemns the horrific attacks against Israel. There is never any justification for terrorism. We will remain in close contact with our Israeli partners," US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in an X post.
The United States condemns the horrific attacks against Israel. There is never any justification for terrorism. We will remain in close contact with our Israeli partners. https://t.co/1WaTbWKCfG
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) October 7, 2023
"I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that are currently hitting Israel," French President Emmanuel Macron declared. "I express my full solidarity with the victims, their families, and those close to them."
Macron shared this sentiment on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
UK: The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly voiced Britain's firm position, asserting, "The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians. The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself." British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak further amplified this sentiment, expressing his shock over the attacks and advising, "We're in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice."
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also offered a firm condemnation of the Hamas-initiated attacks: "I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks against Israel from Gaza. Violence and rockets against innocent civilians must stop now. We stand in full solidarity with Israel and its right under international law to defend itself against terror."
Yet there are those countries who saw both sides as responsible for the escalation: 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.
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.
EU: We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, had shared Europe's united perspective, emphasizing, "We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these challenging times."
Sweden's Foreign Affairs Minister, Tobias Billström, pinpointed the terrorist group behind the attacks, firmly stating, "There are no excuses for the violent attacks by terrorist group Hamas on Israel. They must stop immediately."
Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, urged for a return to dialogue.
He said, "Violence and terror only perpetuate suffering and hinder the path to dialogue. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We are monitoring the situation closely."
Even Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs took to X in response: "Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks against the civilian population in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We express our support for Israel in its right to defend itself and its people."
Support also came from Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who stated, "Moldova stands in solidarity with Israel following massive attacks on the Israel people. The widespread violence against innocent civilians must stop. In these difficult moments, we stand together against terrorism."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia emphasized the dangers of escalation: "Latvia strongly condemns the recent attacks by Hamas on Israel, leading to civilian casualties. Such attacks are regrettable and fuel escalation in a highly volatile situation."
Egypt, a key regional player, had issued a warning of "grave consequences" from escalating tensions and called for "maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger."
In addition, the Saudi Foreign Ministry called on Saturday for an immediate end to the acts of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.