‘United Support’: US, UK, Germany, Italy, France condemns act of terrorism, extend ‘steadfast’ support to Israel
United Support to Israel: As Hamas terror groups continued their attack on Israel for the fourth consecutive day; an eerie silence pervaded Israeli cities, with the country at war following the most lethal Arab assault on the Jewish state in half a century.
A major escalation which broke out on Saturday, Hamas launched a "surprise attack" on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country leaving Israel like a ghost town with everything shut.
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Extending support to Israel, the United States, Germany, France and Italy issued a joint statement condemning the "appalling acts of terrorism" by Hamas and extended their "steadfast and united support" to Israel.
A joint statement by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, "Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage."
The leaders further added, "All of us recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed."
"Over the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region," they said.
"We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned," the statement issued on Monday (local time) read.
Meanwhile, a senior US Defense Department official told reporters during a briefing that Hamas is carrying out "ISIS level savagery" against Israeli civilians, sources reported.
In a stern warning to Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said that "though Israel did not start this war" but "will finish it".
Israeli military said that it has imposed a "complete siege" of the Gaza strip.
US President Joe Biden said 11 Americans have been killed and the US has moved its biggest aircraft carrier and other warships closer to Israel in a show of support, was working with its key ally on "hostage recovery efforts".
Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) on Monday said that its emergency shelters in Gaza are at 90 per cent capacity with more than 137,000 people taking cover from Israeli strikes.
At least 1,500 Israelis and Palestinians killed and over 2,616 people injured after the Hamas attack on Israel.
A war update shared by Israel Defence forces (IDF) on X, said that about 30 hostages have been held by Hamas in Gaza. It also shared that about 4,500 rockets have been fired from Gaza on Israel after which the Israeli defence forces retaliated and hit 1290 Hamas targets in Gaza.
US President Biden further condemned the Hamas attack in Israel and said that the Hamas terrorists have massacred families in their homes, killing over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapping civilians.
- With inputs from agencies
