Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed solidarity with Israel after Hamas militants launched an attack on the country.
Modi condemned it as “terrorist attacks” in Israel as its leader Benjamin Netanyahu said the country is at war. The Indian Embassy in Israel has asked its nationals living in the country to “remain vigilant” and “observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.”
“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” Modi said.
Israel’s Ambassador to India Naor Gilon, meanwhile, said here, “Israel will repel this combined assault of rocket fire and ground infiltration of Hamas terrorists… We appreciate the support of the people of India as we stand firm in the face of terrorism.”
“Israel is currently fighting to repel coordinated, large and multi pronged Palestinian terror attacks. These attacks which were launched early this morning by Hamas on our civilians, sleeping peacefully in their beds, in cities and villages of the south and central Israel are war crimes,” Gilon said.
“The cowardly actions of Hamas, targeting and killing women, children and elderly, injuring hundreds of civilians and firing indiscriminately over 2000 missiles and rockets at our cities, came during the sacred Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Israel will take any and all actions to protect our citizens,” he added.
The Indian Embassy in Israel has asked its nationals living in the country to “remain vigilant” and “observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.” The Embassy said for additional information, please see the Israeli Home Front Command website or their preparedness brochure,” it said in a statement.
“In case of emergency, please contact us at +97235226748, or leave a message at cons1.telaviv@mea. gov.in. The Embassy personnel remain at your disposal for any further guidance,” it added.
World leaders condemned attacks by Hamas on Israel and called for an immediate ceasefire. “The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
“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,” Watson added.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that he strongly condemned the terrorist attacks against Israel.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which are currently hitting Israel. I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them,” Macron wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
The European Union released a statement saying it “unequivocally” condemned the attacks. “We follow with anguish the news coming from #Israel. We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
Egypt also warned of “grave consequences” from an escalation in tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in a statement from the foreign ministry carried by the state news agency on Saturday.
It called for “exercising maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger”.
Italy said Saturday it backed “Israel’s right to defend itself” against the “brutal attack” underway after hundreds of rockets were fired on its territory from Gaza.
The Government said it “condemns in the strongest terms the terror and the violence underway against innocent civilians”, adding: “We back the right of Israel to defend itself”.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the county also “unequivocally condemns” the attack. “The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians. The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself,” Cleverly said in a post on social media.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock echoed the comments.
Israel “has our full solidarity” and “the right, guaranteed by international law, to defend itself against terrorism”, Baerbock said on social media.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday called on Israelis and Palestinians to act with restraint and refrain from hostile acts that could exacerbate the situation.
“We call for restraint from all parties,” Erdogan said at a congress for his ruling AK Party in Ankara. “They must refrain from aggressive acts,” he said.