Israel suddenly found itself caught in a ‘state of war’ when Hamas fighters fired more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip. In retaliation, Israel declared war. So far more than 2000 people have lost their lives leaving several injured, setting off air raid sirens across the country and raising the likelihood of a new round of heavy fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement said, “Hamas militants beheaded soldiers and raped women in their attack on Israel, and he vowed that Israel would “crush and destroy” Hamas in response to the attack.”
Israel bombed Gaza overnight, saying it had targeted an elite Hamas unit that led the deadly weekend attacks. It said there would be no humanitarian break to its siege of the Gaza Strip until all its hostages were freed, after the Red Cross pleaded for fuel to be allowed in to prevent overwhelmed hospitals from “turning into morgues”. Israel has put Gaza under “total siege” to stop food and fuel reaching the enclave of 2.3 million people, many poor and dependent on aid. It has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip in retribution for the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, when hundreds of gunmen poured across the barrier fence and rampaged through Israeli towns on Saturday.
The attack certainly angered the world community and reactions poured in at lightning speed from various Heads of the state condemning the attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was “deeply shocked” by the news of “terrorist attacks” in Israel. He further said that India stood in solidarity with Israel. He wrote 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.” Meanwhile, the Indian government has launched Operation Ajay in order to bring back Indian nationals from war-torn Israel.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2023
US President Joe Biden called the Hamas attack “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust,” and a campaign of “pure cruelty.” In another tweet Biden wrote on X , The terrorist attack on Israel has brought to the surface painful memories and the scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people. So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel and the Jewish community.
The terrorist attack on Israel has brought to the surface painful memories and the scars left by a millennia of antisemitism and genocide of the Jewish people.
So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel and the Jewish community. pic.twitter.com/4iBR5ClNuo
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 12, 2023
Israel’s energy minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the country is blocking water, electricity and fuel from entering Gaza, warning that Israel will “continue to tighten the siege until the Hamas threat…is removed”.
US Vice President Kamala Harris said that the US was looking at “extreme acts of terrorism” that must be condemned in no uncertain terms, stressing that there was no justification for such acts of terror. “I’m completely outraged by what has taken place. We are looking at extreme acts of terrorism that must be condemned in no uncertain terms. There is absolutely no justification for terrorism,” Harris said.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he was shocked by the attacks on Israel by “Hamas terrorists”, adding that Israel had an absolute 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,” said Sunak.
In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Britain and the United States condemned Hamas’s attacks, calling them “acts of terrorism” that had “no justification.”
“Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities,” said US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The leaders went on to say that they recognize the “legitimate aspirations” of Palestinians but that Hamas “does not represent those aspirations.”
The European Union also released a statement in support of Israel, adding that it would launch a review of its support for the Palestinians but that it was not suspending payments at the moment. But the E.U. commissioner said that the bloc would “immediately” suspend aid to the Palestinians. E.U.’s Joint Council also called for the release of all hostages and for Israel to allow access to food, water and medicine. It reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution and asked countries in the region to engage Iran to pursue de-escalation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also condemned Hamas, likening the group’s tactics to those of Russia, saying that they “seek to hold to free and democratic nations as hostages, and they want power over those who seek freedom.” Zelensky also said he was recommending that allies support the Israeli people.
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, both of which normalized relations with Israel through the ‘Abraham Accords’ have condemned the attacks.
The UAE, which in 2020 became the first Persian Gulf country to normalize relations with Israel in about three decades, condemned the Hamas’s attacks as “serious and grave escalation” and called for de-escalation and civilian protections on both sides. “The UAE reaffirmed that the international community must remain resolute in the face of these violent attempts to derail ongoing regional efforts aimed at dialogue, cooperation, and coexistence,” the statement said, “and must not allow nihilistic destruction to overtake a region whose people have already suffered enough war and trauma.”
#WATCH | Israel | A view of Gaza as rockets launched by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Hamas.
(Video: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/AQom16NOCl
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2023
Bahrain’s initial statement made no mention of Hamas and warned that “the continuation of violence will impede the efforts aiming at achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.” Later, the Foreign Ministry joined the UAE in calling Hamas’s attacks an “escalation” and denounced the “reported kidnappings.”
In the wake of recent hostilities and the militant Hamas group’s attack on Israel, Germany has extended a helping hand by offering military support to Israel. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasized Germany’s historical responsibility for ensuring Israel’s security. Scholz also addressed the German parliament, highlighting the importance of standing alongside Israel in its time of need. He expressed his willingness to support Israel and requested that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu communicate any specific needs, such as medical assistance for the wounded. Scholz laid the blame on Iran for backing Hamas to grow into the body that carried out last weekend’s attacks on Israel, telling legislators he would work with regional powers in a bid to stop violence spreading further. “While we have no firm proof that Iran operationally supported this cowardly attack, it is clear to us all that without Iranian support Hamas would never have been able to launch this unprecedented attack,” he said on Thursday. “I am in close contact with Egypt’s President Sisi, who has channels to Gaza. I will speak with Turkey’s President Erdogan today and receive the Emir of Qatar,” he added. “All three can play an important role in de-escalating the situation.”
Though the world stands with Israel in its crisis, the price paid by the innocent children and people is too high, for terrorism knows no boundaries. The recent attack should be condemned to the core and justice be done to the victims and their families with a befitting reply. For the scars of the war are forever!
