The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has intensified in recent days, with Palestinian group Hamas launching a significant attack on Israel, resulting in casualties, hostages taken, and ongoing fighting.
The unexpected assault included the firing of rockets from the Gaza Strip, as well as gunmen entering Israeli towns.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation, and various reactions have emerged.
Here is a round-up of the international reactions:
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement, calling for an immediate cessation of the conflict. The Saudi government expressed concern over the escalating violence and its impact on the region.
Pakistan
Pakistan says ‘deeply concerned’ amid increasing hostilities in Middle East and the loss of innocent lives.
“We stand in solidarity with Palestinians and call for an immediate end to the violence and oppression by Israeli occupation forces”.
Pakistan is deeply concerned by the escalating hostility in the Middle East and the loss of innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with Palestinians and call for an immediate end to the violence and oppression by Israeli occupation forces. A viable and sovereign State
— Jalil Abbas Jilani (@JalilJilani) October 8, 2023
United States
US President Joe Biden said his country’s support for Israel was “rock solid and unwavering”.
He ordered US ships and warplanes to move closer to Israel on Sunday.
China
“China is deeply concerned about the current escalation of tension and violence between Palestine and Israel,” said a foreign ministry statement, calling on “all parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, cease fire immediately, protect civilians and prevent further deterioration of the situation”.
Read Also: Death toll in Israel-Hamas conflict rises to 1,100 as 'war' enters third day
Russia
Russia’s Foreign Ministry called for an “immediate ceasefire” and negotiations towards “a comprehensive, lasting and long-awaited peace”.
Qatar
Qatar called on both sides to exercise utmost restraint and called on the international community to prevent Israel from using these events as an excuse to launch a disproportionate war against Palestinian civilians.
The country’s foreign ministry issued a statement saying Israel alone was responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence with the Palestinian people.
Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Sunday, said that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister to offer condolences for the numerous casualties caused by the “terrorist attack”.
On Saturday, he said that Israel had an “indisputable” right to defend itself.
France
France’s Foreign Ministry called for the immediate release of the hostages taken by Hamas.
Catherine Colonna, French Foreign Minister, held talks by telephone with several of her counterparts in the Middle East in a bid to “prevent the conflict degenerating” by spreading to other parts of the region, a ministry statement.
Germany
On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Prime Minister Netanyahu to tell him Germany stands “firmly and unwaveringly by Israel’s side”.
He added that Israel has the right to defend itself against “barbaric attacks” and “to protect its citizens and to pursue the attackers”.
Britain
“We will do everything that we can to help. Terrorism will not prevail,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.
He had assured Mr. Netanyahu of London’s “steadfast support”.
Italy
“Italy stands by the Israeli people at this difficult time,” said a government statement.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called Mr Netanyahu to reaffirm “Rome’s full solidarity”.
Japan
Calling for restraint, Japan strongly condemned the attacks, adding that “we are seriously concerned about the large number of casualties in the Gaza Strip as a result of attacks by the Israel Defence Forces”.
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India stood “in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour”.
Spain
Spain’s acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that he condemned the attacks from Gaza against Israel.
“We strongly condemn the very serious terrorist attacks from Gaza against Israel. “Overwhelmed by this indiscriminate violence. All our solidarity (is) with the victims.”
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
“The UAE calls for the exercise of maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid serious repercussions,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Morocco
“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,” said foreign ministry statement.
Brazil
UN Security Council chair Brazil announced it will call an emergency meeting of the body to address the escalating violence and it urged restraint.
