World reacts to Hamas attack on Israel

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has expressed his profound concern over the escalating violence in the Middle East, emphasising the pressing need to address the “Palestine Question”.

“We urge restraint and protection of civilians. Enduring peace in the Middle East lies in a two state solution with a viable, contiguous, sovereign State of Palestine, founded on pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif at its heart,” he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said Pakistan was “closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Middle East and the eruption of hostilities between Israel and Palestinians”.

“We call on the international community to come together for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and for a lasting peace in the Middle East,” the statement added

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for “an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza” and “the cycle of armed confrontation between the two sides”.

He said: “Israel’s continued implementation of violent and extremist policies is a time bomb depriving the region of any serious opportunity for stability in the foreseeable future.”

The Saudi foreign ministry called for an “immediate cessation of violence”.

“The UAE calls for the exercise of maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid serious repercussions,” the official news agency quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

Kuwait expressed its “grave concern” over developments between Israel and the Palestinians, blaming Israel for what it called its “blatant attacks”.

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday congratulated Palestinian fighters, the semi-official ISNA news site reported. “We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem,” it quoted Yahya Rahim Safavi as saying.

Iran’s state television showed parliament members rising from their seats to chant “Death to Israel”.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani spokesperson was quoted by ISNA as saying: “In this operation, the element of surprise and other combined methods were used, which show the Palestinian people’s confidence in the face of the occupiers.”

Huthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa said they supported “the heroic jihadist operation”.

In a statement published on the website of SABA news agency, the group said the attack “revealed the weakness, fragility and impotence” of Israel.
It called the operation “a battle of dignity, pride, and defence”.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry Egypt warned of “grave consequences” and called for “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger”.

“We call for restraint from all parties,” Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan said.

Qatar foreign ministry said Israel alone was responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people, and called for both sides to show restraint.

“The Kingdom of Morocco expresses its deep concern at the deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of military action in the Gaza Strip, and condemns attacks against civilians wherever they may be,” a foreign ministry statement said.

“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”

Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland said: “This is a dangerous precipice, and I appeal to all to pull back from the brink.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk said: “This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians … Civilians must never be the target of attack.”

French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned the attacks.

“I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them,” he said.

“Canada strongly condemns the current terrorist attacks against Israel. These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this. Civilian life must be protected,” Canadian Prime Minister Justic Trudeau said on X.

“The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians. The UK will always support Israels right to defend itself,” British Foreign Minister James Cleverly said.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said: “I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. It is terrorism in its most despicable form.”

Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: “We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing.”

Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries in connection with the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said, urging restraint.

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned what he called a “terror attack” on Israel and said Israel’s right to defend itself “cannot be doubted”.

The Lebanese group Hezbollah, an arch foe of Israel, said it was in “direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian resistance” and described events as a “decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation and a message to those seeking normalisation with Israel”.

“I’m shocked by today’s brutal attacks on Israel by Hamas. Rockets attacks and detention of civilians as hostages arouse our deepest opposition. Poland strongly condemns all acts of violence,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said.

“The attack conducted from the Gaza Strip is a deplorable act of terrorism against the State of Israel and the civilian population,” Czech Republic President Petr Pavel said in a statement.

“The rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas commandos into Israel will block any efforts for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a long time.”

“A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was held today on the dramatic situation unfolding in Israel, which has been the target of a military and terrorist attack,” a statement from the Italian prime minister’s office said.

“The government is following the evolution of the situation with concern … Particular attention is being paid to the security of the Jewish community in the country.”

Japan strongly condemns rocket launches and cross-border attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups into Israeli territory, the foreign ministry said.

“We repudiate the planners, funders and implementers of this heinous attack. While Israel has a right to retaliate, a peaceful path to resolving this unfortunate development is urged,” Korir Sing’oei, principal secretary at Kenya’s foreign ministry, said on X.