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World leaders reacted to the unprecedented, multifront attack on Israel by the militant Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip on Saturday.
White House condemns the attack
The White House said Saturday that it “unequivocally condemns” the Hamas attacks.
“We stand firmly with the government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” said Adrienne Watson, spokeswoman for the National Security Council.
Saudi Arabia calls for restraint
Saudi Arabia called for an immediate halt to fighting in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
A statement Saturday by the Saudi Foreign Ministry also called for both sides to protect civilians and exercise restraint.
“The kingdom recalls its repeated warnings of the dangers of the situation exploding as a result of the continued occupation, the Palestinian people being deprived of their legitimate rights and the repetition of system provocations against” them by Israel, the statement said.
Iranian lawmakers chant ‘Death to Israel’
Iran’s Parliament members opened their session Saturday by chanting “Death to Israel” and “Israel will be doomed, Palestine will be the conqueror.”
Iranian TV aired footage of missiles being launched from the Gaza Strip toward Israel and interviewed analysts who supported the Hamas attack.
Russia urges a cease-fire
Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister and former ambassador to Israel and Egypt, told the state Tass agency Saturday that Moscow has been in touch with “all parties [of the conflict], including Arab countries” and urged “an immediate cease-fire and peace” between Hamas and Israel. Bogdanov did not specify which Arab states Russian diplomats were speaking to.
“We call for an immediate start to a peace process on the basis of existing, internationally recognized agreements,” Bogdanov said. He added that a number of U.N. Security Council resolutions on the conflict remain unimplemented but gave no details.
UN human rights chief calls for end to violence
The U.N. human rights chief said he is “shocked and appalled” by the attack.
Volker Turk called for an immediate end to the violence, appealing to all sides and “key countries in the region” to de-escalate and avoid further bloodshed.
“This attack is having a horrific impact on Israeli civilians,” Turk said, and civilians must never be the target of attacks.
