As Israel launches Operation Iron Sword in response to Hamas rocket attacks, Palestinian president speaks of 'right of self-defense'. First reactions to the latest tensions in the Middle East.
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| An Israeli tank destroyed in the Gaza Strip. (Source: AP) |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement on October 7 saying that the country was in a state of "war" and not in a state of operations, and pledged that the enemy would "pay the price."
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also announced on the same day that it had launched Operation Iron Sword in response to rocket attacks by Hamas forces from the Gaza Strip.
Earlier in the morning of October 7, Hamas announced that it had fired about 5,000 rockets at Israel. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said that more than 2,200 rockets had been fired at Israel since 6:30 a.m. the same day. Hamas launched attacks on all three fronts: on land, at sea and in the air. Fighting is currently taking place between the Israeli army and Hamas at at least 7 locations. The IDF is expected to mobilize tens of thousands of additional soldiers to participate in this counterattack.
From Palestine, the official WAFA news agency quoted President Mahmoud Abbas on October 7 emphasizing that Palestinians have the right to defend themselves against "terrorism by settlers and occupiers."
The statement was made by Mr. Abbas at an emergency meeting with a number of top officials in the Palestinian Authority held in Ramallah.
In a related development, the Hezbollah Islamic movement said it was closely following developments in the Gaza Strip and was "in direct contact with the leadership of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas".
Following a series of rocket attacks on Israel, Hezbollah stressed that it was a "firm response to the continued Israeli occupation and a message to those seeking normalization of relations with Israel".
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| Israeli soldiers patrol near the West Bank city of Tulkarm after clashes with Palestinian gunmen on October 5. (Source: AFP) |
Several countries have expressed their reactions to the latest developments in the Middle East. Egypt warned of "serious consequences" from the escalation between Israel and Palestine. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on all parties to "exercise maximum restraint and avoid putting civilians in danger."
Meanwhile, Britain and Germany "strongly condemned" Hamas' surprise attack on Israel and declared their solidarity with Israel and its people.
On the social media platform X the same day, Spanish acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned the attack from Gaza against Israel. The official stressed: "We strongly condemn the very serious terrorist attack from Gaza against Israel. We are truly shocked by this indiscriminate act of violence."
Also on October 7, the French Embassy in Israel condemned the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas against Israel, describing them as "unacceptable terrorist attacks".
On social network X, the French Embassy wrote: "Horrified by the developments in southern Israel. These terrorist attacks are unacceptable and must be condemned. We stand with Israel and the Israeli people."
For its part, on October 7, Russia called on all sides to exercise restraint after Palestinian forces fired hundreds of rockets at Israel, after which Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
“We are in contact with all sides. With the Israelis, the Palestinians, the Arabs... regarding the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.... Of course, we always call for restraint,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Interfax.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Israel and Palestine to "act rationally" and avoid further escalation.
"We call on all sides to act rationally and avoid impulsive steps that increase tensions," Erdogan, a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, said in a statement after a wave of rocket and missile attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel that killed at least 22 Israelis and injured some 545 others.
On the same day, Iran's Supreme Leader's adviser, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Tehran supports the Palestinian attack on Israel.
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