Global leaders have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israeli occupation forces and Palestinian factions.
Medical sources in Gaza have confirmed that Israeli air attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 198 Palestinians, and wounded over 1600. The Israeli air strikes followed a Hamas offensive against Israel that left 40 dead and 750 injured.
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the attacks and expressed his solidarity with the victims, their families, and loved ones. Germany’s foreign minister underscored the need to halt rocket attacks that target civilians.
The United States, a long-time ally of Israel, called on both sides to refrain from further retaliatory actions.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the key to ensuring “security, stability, and peace” in the region lies in putting an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.
“We have repeatedly warned of the consequences of a deadlock in the political horizon and not granting the Palestinian people their legitimate right to self-determination and their state,” the ministry said in a press statement. “We have also warned of the consequences of the daily provocations and attacks, the continued terrorism of settlers and occupation forces, and the raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Christian and Islamic holy sites.”
The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that what truly guarantees security, stability, and peace in the region is the termination of the Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine’s land, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the 1967 borders, and the recognition of the people’s right to independence and sovereignty.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement, asserting that Israel bears full responsibility for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people. The statement calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and appeals to the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as a pretext for initiating an disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Egypt, in a statement by its foreign ministry through the state news agency, has sounded the alarm about the “grave consequences” that could arise from an escalation in tensions. Egypt has called for the importance of “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has echoed this sentiment by urging all parties “to act with restraint … and to stay away from impulsive steps that will escalate tensions.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the nation is now at war following the surprise rocket attack from Gaza by Palestinian militants.
The sudden escalation began when Palestinian fighters launched a surprise rocket attack from Gaza into Israel. Reports suggest that dozens of fighters from Hamas successfully infiltrated nearby Israeli settlements which are illegal under international law.
The Israeli military initiated strikes on various targets in the Gaza Strip. The situation on the ground became increasingly volatile, with concerns over civilian casualties growing.
Advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Rahim Safavi, expressed support for the Hamas-led attack against Isreal. He is quoted as congratulating the Palestinian fighters and stating Iran’s commitment to stand by them until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.
