As the Palestine militant group launched thousands of rockets into Israel Saturday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while expressing shock over the assault, said that India stands in solidarity with Israel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, “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 ruling Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel at daybreak Saturday, firing thousands of rockets.
World leaders have called for end to hostilities and safe passage for civilians amid the “war” between Israel and Hamas. Reports say Hamas militants have taken several Israelis hostage and killed a large number of Israelis.
The US on Saturday “unequivocally” condemned the attack by “Hamas terrorists” against Israel, the White House said in a statement. “The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” the statement said, adding that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was in close contact with Israeli partners over the operation.
“I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens. Israel has an absolute right to defend itself. We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice,” Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
“I strongly condemn the current terrorist attacks against Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, their families and loved ones,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.
The attack by Hamas is seen by analysts as an attempt to derail peace talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel. US President Joe Biden had encouraged Saudi Arabia and Israel to seek an agreement that would build on earlier accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, as well as Morocco and Sudan. Any deal is seen as some way off, with the status of the Palestinians among the key issues to be decided.
“Horrifying news reaches us today from Israel. The rocket fire from Gaza and the escalating violence shock us deeply. Germany condemns these Hamas attacks and stands by Israel,” Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
“Just spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel. I told him that the Netherlands unequivocally condemns this terrorist violence and fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte said.
The Indian embassy in Israel has also asked all citizens to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movements. “In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant, and observe sfety protocols as advised by local authorities. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement and stay close to safety shelters,” the embassy had said in a statement.
A senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed support for the surprise attack Hamas launched against Israel on Saturday, calling it a “proud operation”. “We support the proud operation of Al-Aqsa Flood,” Rahim Safavi said at a Tehran meeting held in of support Palestinian children. “We support this operation, and we are sure that the resistance front also supports this issue.”
Egypt warned of “grave consequences” from an escalation in tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, in a statement from the foreign ministry carried by the state news agency. It called for “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger”.
“We call for restraint from all parties,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said at a congress for his ruling AK Party in Ankara. “They must refrain from aggressive acts,” he said.
Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries in connection with the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Interfax news agency reported, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. “It goes without saying that we always call for restraint,” he said.
“We are at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address, declaring a mass mobilization of the country’s army reserves. “Not an ‘operation,’ not a ‘round,’ but at war.” “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” he added, promising that Israel would “return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known.”
The early morning attack has left at least 22 people dead and multiple wounded. Israel, too, have retaliated with massive strikes on Gazan cities, killing at least one Palestinian, according to local reports.
