International and Arab reactions to the attack launched by Hamas against Israel early Saturday. Western countries, including France and the United States, described Hamas' operations as "terrorist", stressing Israel's right to defend itself. While Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, which seeks to normalize its relations with Tel Aviv, called for an end to the escalation and calm.

While the escalation between Israel and Hamas has continued since Saturday, a number of countries, including the United States and France, described the movement’s military operations against Israel as “terrorist.” Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, urged both sides to stop the escalation and calm down. On the other hand, Iran confirmed that it stands “by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.”

In the United States, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement issued by the ministry, “There is absolutely no justification for terrorism. We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Israel, and offer our condolences to the families of the Israelis who died in these attacks.”

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement, “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.”

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he strongly denounces the attacks on Israel, describing them as terrorist.

He wrote on the X platform (formerly Twitter): “I express my full solidarity with the victims, their families, and those close to them.”

For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described on social media what is happening in Israel "as horrific news... We are deeply shocked by the launching of rockets from Gaza and the escalation of violence. Germany condemns these attacks launched by Hamas and stands with Israel."

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly wrote in a post on social media: “Britain categorically condemns the horrific attacks launched by Hamas on Israeli civilians. It will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed on the X platform that his country "strongly condemns the current terrorist attacks on Israel. These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself."

Arab positions

The Saudi Press Agency said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an “immediate cessation of escalation” between Israelis and Palestinians.

The ministry said in a statement, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is closely following developments in the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence taking place on a number of fronts there.”

Egypt warned of "serious consequences" of escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in a statement to "exercise the utmost levels of restraint and avoid exposing civilians to further risks."

The Kingdom of Morocco, which maintains relations with Tel Aviv, expressed its “deep concern over the deteriorating situation.”

The outbreak of military actions in the Gaza Strip and condemns the targeting of civilians by any party.”

It called for "an immediate cessation of all acts of violence, a return to calm, and the avoidance of all forms of escalation that would undermine the chances of peace in the region."

However, Morocco's Islamist Justice and Development Party, which was the largest in parliament until the 2021 elections, praised the Hamas attack as a "heroic act" and a "natural and legitimate reaction to daily violations."

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs held Israel “solely responsible for the current escalation due to its continued violations of the rights of the Palestinian people.”

She added that Qatar calls on "all parties to stop escalation, calm down, and exercise maximum restraint."

Kuwait expressed its "deep concern" about developments between Israel and the Palestinians, and held Israel responsible for what it called "blatant attacks."

About 250 men and women demonstrated in Al-Irada Square in front of the National Assembly (Parliament) in support of the Palestinians. They criticized Israel and the normalization processes of some Arab countries.

The demonstrators raised the flags of Palestine and Kuwait, wore the Palestinian keffiyeh, and raised banners reading: “Kuwaitis against normalization...yes to resistance, no to bargaining.”

The Emirates News Agency quoted the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that the UAE "calls for the exercise of maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid dangerous repercussions."

An official statement issued by the Sultanate of Oman stressed that "the international community must intervene immediately to stop the ongoing escalation and resort to the rules of international law."

China Russia

Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as saying that Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries regarding the escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He added, "It is self-evident that we always call for restraint."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged relevant parties to "remain calm, exercise restraint, and immediately end hostilities to protect civilians and avoid further deterioration of the situation."

The ministry said, "The main way out of this conflict lies in implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent State of Palestine."

"We call on all parties to exercise restraint," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a conference of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara.

"They must refrain from hostilities," he added.

In Iran, the semi-official Student News Agency reported that the advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei congratulated the Palestinian fighters.

Iranian television showed footage of members of parliament rising from their seats and chanting, “Death to Israel.”

The agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani as saying that the attacks indicate the self-confidence of the Palestinians in confronting Israel.

On the other hand, the United Nations Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland said, “This is a dangerous abyss, and I appeal to everyone to step back from the brink.”

international organizations

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

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the X platform, “I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists on Israel. It is terrorism in its ugliest form. Israel has the right to defend itself in the face of such heinous attacks.”

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said that “the denial of the basic rights of the Palestinian people, especially the rights of an independent, sovereign state, is the main reason for the permanent tension between Israel and the Palestinians.”

He added, "The President urgently calls on both parties to end military hostilities and return, without conditions, to the negotiating table."

Source: France 24/Reuters