Rishi Sunak says Israel has an ‘absolute right to defend itself’ after Hamas militants launched attacks from the Gaza Strip
- James Cleverly and Keir Starmer have also ‘condemned’ the attacks
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Israel has an ‘absolute right to defend itself’ after attacks by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip.
In a filmed statement Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country is ‘at war’ with Hamas militants after they infiltrated the country on Saturday via land, sea and air.
The Palestinian group fired a devastating fusillade of rockets into the country and sent troops across the border in paragliders in a surprise attack.
Residents have been told to stay indoors as Israeli media reports that 22 people have been killed in the attacks, citing the country’s ambulance service.
In a post on X, formally known as Twitter, Mr Sunak wrote: ‘I am shocked by this morning’s attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli citizens.
‘Israel has an absolute right to defend itself.
A car burns after a rocket attack in southern Israel on Saturday. Hamas claimed to have fired 5,000 rockets into the country
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Israel has an ‘absolute right to defend itself’ after attacks by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip
Smoke billows from a building in Gaza after Israel fired missiles in response to Palestinian air strikes earlier on Saturday
‘We’re in contact with Israeli authorities, and British nationals in Israel should follow travel advice.’
READ MORE: Israel’s PM Netanyahu declares: ‘We are at war’ as Hamas gunmen PARAGLIDE across border to start shooting up Israeli towns after launching ‘5,000’ rockets in bloody attacks that have killed at least 22
Videos on social media appeared to show armed troops from the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ militant arm, moving through built-up areas firing weapons as Israeli residents were evacuated from their homes following air strikes.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Hamas called on ‘the resistance fighters in the West Bank’ as well as ‘our Arab and Islamic nations’ to join the battle.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has also condemned the ‘horrific’ attacks by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip in southern Israel.
Mr Cleverly wrote on social media: ‘The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians.
‘The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.’
The attacks have left civilians injured and dead, with 15 treated for injuries in the immediate aftermath of the first missile strikes.
Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance agency said a woman in her 60s was killed ‘due to a direct hit’, reports AFP. Elsewhere, a 20-year-old man was moderately injured by rocket shrapnel, it said. It has started emergency blood drives to treat the wounded.
Hamas claimed to have fired 5,000 rockets into Israel from the occupied Gaza Strip, setting off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Men believed to be Palestinian militants are seen riding an Israeli military vehicle after reportedly seizing it close to the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip
Other public figures including Foreign Secretary James Cleverley and Labour leader Keir Starmer have taken to social media to criticise today’s attacks
Israeli and Palestinian citizens have been fleeing homes close to the border as both sides stepped up air strikes and engaged in gun battles throughout the day.
Other public figures have taken to social media to criticise today’s attacks, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘I utterly condemn the ongoing attacks on Israel and her citizens.
‘There is no justification for this act of terror which is being perpetrated by those who seek to undermine any chance for future peace in the region.
‘Israel has a right to defend herself.’
Ireland’s deputy premier has condemned attacks from Hamas militants on Israel and called for ‘all hostilities’ to stop.
Mr Martin, who is Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed his sympathies over the lives that had been lost.
‘I strongly condemn the firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas and attacks against Israel from Gaza,’ Mr Martin said.
‘I deeply regret the loss of life and the impact on civilians.
A woman stands in a damaged room in Ashkelon, Israel after rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants
Palestinians ride what is believed to be an Israeli military off-road vehicle following the storming of border settlements by Hamas militants
‘I call for an immediate cessation of all hostilities.’
The Tanaiste had travelled to the region last month on a three-day diplomatic trip where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. He also travelled to the occupied Palestinian territory where he met with President Mahmoud Abbas.
Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran MP condemned ‘the terrorism of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.’
‘I am horrified to wake up to such dreadful scenes of violence in Israel and Palestine this morning,’ she said.
‘Last year, I met with Israelis living in villages on the Gaza border. I am mortified to learn that these places are facing terrorist attacks as we speak. My thoughts are with those I met, and their safety, and all those others impacted by this awful violence.
‘Liberal Democrats fully condemn the terrorism of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This violence must cease. I am profoundly worried about the prospect for broader escalation.’
The White House said that it ‘unequivocally condemns’ the Hamas attacks.
National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said: ‘There is never any justification for terrorism.
‘We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks.
‘National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners.’
X boss Elon Musk also commented on the attacks, he said: ‘Sorry to see what’s happening in Israel
X boss Elon Musk also commented on the attacks, he said: ‘Sorry to see what’s happening in Israel.
‘I hope there can be peace one day.’
The sound of outgoing rockets whooshing through the air could be heard in Gaza and sirens wailed as far away as Tel Aviv, some 70 kilometres (40 miles) to the north, during the early morning barrage that lasted more than 30 minutes.
Cities and towns in southern Israel emptied as the military closed roads near Gaza and millions of Israelis scrambled to bombs shelters while air raid sirens wailed overhead.
In the community of Nahal Oz, just 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the Gaza Strip, terrified residents who were huddled indoors said they could hear constant gunfire echoing off the buildings.
‘With rockets we somehow feel safer, knowing that we have the Iron Dome (missile defense system) and our safe rooms,’ Mirjam Reijnen, a 42-year-old volunteer firefighter in the town told the AP news agency.
‘But knowing that terrorists are walking around communities is a different kind of fear,’ she added, saying that she and her three children have been too scared to leave the shelter even for a moment to use the bathroom.
Israel has blockaded Gaza since Islamic militant group Hamas gained control of the territory in 2007 and the two have fought wars ever since.
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