EU Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel
European leaders have denounced the sudden attack by Hamas militants on Israel on Saturday morning and affirmed Israel's right to self-defense, Politico reports.
"This is terrorism in its vilest form," said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. "Israel has the right to defend itself against such horrific attacks."
Hamas caught Israel off guard early on Saturday morning with thousands of rockets and dozens of heavily armed individuals infiltrating southern Israel. In response, the Israel Defense Forces struck Hamas targets in Gaza. "IDF initiates a large-scale operation to protect the civilian population of Israel," the IDF statement read.
"We are at war," declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "And we will prevail," he assured the Israeli people.
Across Europe, messages of outrage poured in.
"Appalling scenes from Israel," remarked Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, describing the Hamas attack as an "unprecedented assault" on Israel. "Israel has every right to defend itself," Rutte added.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated, "Violence and rockets against innocent people must cease immediately." She continued, "Israel has our full solidarity and the right, under international law, to defend itself against terror."
France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its "absolute rejection of terrorism and commitment to Israel's security."
Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat, reiterated this sentiment. "This terrible violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing," he said in a statement.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly declared that Britain "unequivocally condemns the heinous attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians." He added, "The United Kingdom will always support Israel's right to defend itself."
As reported by The Gaze, dozens of armed Palestinian terrorists from Gaza infiltrated Israel early this morning after a two-hour mass rocket barrage. They opened fire on civilians from vehicles, prompting the Israel Defense Forces to launch an attack on the Gaza Strip and mobilize reserve battalions. One person was killed, and 16 were injured as a result of rocket strikes on the country.