World leaders condemn, urge restraint after Hamas launches surprise assault on Israel

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, meanwhile, said that he was shocked at the attacks and that Israel had every right to defend itself. “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,” he wrote on social media platform X.

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.

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 7, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attacks, saying: “I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which are currently hitting Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them.”

The French foreign ministry, too, condemned “in the strongest possible terms the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel and its population” after the firing of hundreds of rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip. France “expresses its full solidarity with Israel and the victims of these attacks. It reaffirms its absolute rejection of terrorism and its commitment to Israel’s security”, the ministry said.

Je condamne fermement les attaques terroristes qui frappent actuellement Israël. J’exprime ma pleine solidarité avec les victimes, leurs familles et leurs proches.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 7, 2023

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 as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land and sea and catching the country off-guard on a major holiday. The early morning attack has left at least 22 people dead and multiple wounded.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the attack saying that violence against innocent people must stop straight away.

“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,” Annalena Baerbock said.

Hamas eskaliert die Gewalt. Ich verurteile die terroristischen Angriffe aus Gaza gegen #Israel aufs Schärfste. Gewalt & Raketen gegen Unschuldige müssen sofort aufhören. Israel hat unsere volle Solidarität & das völkerrechtlich verbriefte Recht, sich gegen Terror zu verteidigen.

— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) October 7, 2023

Ukraine also expressed solidarity with Israel saying that it “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.”

Russia, on the other hand, urged restraint from all sides saying, “We are now in contact with everyone. With the Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs. Of course, we always call for restraint.”

Spain expressed shock over the “indiscriminate violence” saying, “We strongly condemn the extremely serious terrorist attacks from Gaza against Israel. We are shocked by this indiscriminate violence.”