World Reacts to Hamas Attack on Israel

Soldiers walk in front of an Israeli police station that was damaged during battles to dislodge Hamas militants who were stationed inside, on October 8, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
Soldiers walk in front of an Israeli police station that was damaged during battles to dislodge Hamas militants who were stationed inside, on October 8, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
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World Reacts to Hamas Attack on Israel

Soldiers walk in front of an Israeli police station that was damaged during battles to dislodge Hamas militants who were stationed inside, on October 8, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
Soldiers walk in front of an Israeli police station that was damaged during battles to dislodge Hamas militants who were stationed inside, on October 8, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday. The following is reaction from around the world.

UNITED STATES

"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 Defense 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."

UNITED NATIONS
UN 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."

GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ
"Terrifying news reaches us today from #Israel. We are deeply shocked by the rocket fire from Gaza and the escalating violence. Germany condemns these attacks by Hamas and stands by Israel," Scholz said on social media.

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON
Macron strongly condemned the attacks.
"I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them," he said.

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU
"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," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER JAMES CLEVERLY
"The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians. The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself," Cleverly said.

EUROPEAN UNION
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."



Starmer Praises Trump’s Role in Securing ‘Landmark’ Ceasefire in Gaza

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  
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Starmer Praises Trump’s Role in Securing ‘Landmark’ Ceasefire in Gaza

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (AFP)  

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday praised the role of US President Donald Trump for securing a “landmark” ceasefire in Gaza, during a call between the two leaders.

“They discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East,” Downing Street said in a statement.

It noted that the Prime Minister paid tribute to Trump’s role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The US President meanwhile welcomed the release of the recently freed British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari.

The 28-year-old was one of three hostages released last week after being held for 15 months.

Starmer and Trump also “agreed to meet soon,” Downing Street said, stressing “the importance of the close and warm ties” between the two countries.

Trump, a longtime fan of Britain’s monarchy, also “expressed his well wishes for the British Royal Family,” the White House said.

Asked on board Air Force One about his relationship with Keir, Trump said Starmer has done a “very good job thus far” and that the pair have a “very good relationship.”

Britain’s new Labor government, elected in July, has spent months trying to build bridges with Trump’s team.

It has refrained from criticizing decisions taken by the Republican billionaire since his return to the White House last Monday.