Assessing World's Reaction To Surprise Hamas Attack Against Israel

 

The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which its leader said included firing about 5,000 rockets.

The assault combined gunmen crossing into several Israeli towns with a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip. Israel’s emergency services said 40 people have been killed in the surprise attacks from Gaza and hundreds more injured.

As warning sirens wailed across the country, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the Iran-backed Hamas had made a “grave mistake” for launching the surprise attack

Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif announced the start of the operation in a broadcast on Hamas media, encouraging Palestinians everywhere to join the fight.

“This is the day of the greatest battle to end the last occupation on earth,” he noted, adding that 5,000 rockets had been launched as part of the operation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was now “at war” and that he had convened the heads of the security forces and instructed them to first clear all Israeli villages of Palestinian militants who had entered from Gaza.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also wrote: “Israel has an absolute right to defend itself,” adding that British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.

Sharing full solidarity with Israel, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: “Violence and rockets against innocent civilians must stop now.”