The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas initiated a major assault on Israel early Saturday, launching a barrage of rockets from Gaza and sending fighters across the border.
Israel, responding to the attack, declared itself on a war footing and initiated its own airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza. Israeli media also reported skirmishes between groups of Palestinian fighters and security forces in southern Israel.
European leaders swiftly condemned the Hamas attack and expressed unwavering solidarity with Israel in the face of escalating violence.
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Union’s executive commission, took to social media, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the attack represented “terrorism in its most despicable form.” She emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself against such reprehensible attacks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed deep shock over the militants’ rocket fire and the escalating violence, firmly condemning these attacks by Hamas. He reiterated Germany’s support for Israel in this challenging situation.
French President Emmanuel Macron also joined the chorus of condemnation, expressing his firm stance against the “terrorist attacks” targeting Israel. He extended his full solidarity to the victims, their families, and their loved ones in the wake of these events.
