This is not yet another war in Gaza. The violent attack launched by surprise Hamas against Israel, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, is unlike any previous offensive since Strip, as underlined by many. And messages of solidarity and comments in support of Israel arrive from all over the world, commitments to help the Jewish State. From everyone, even from Russia. But not from Iran e Lebanon who instead support Hamas.
The attack has already caused hundreds of deaths and unprecedented hostage taking
On Saturday morning around 7 am, Hamas launched the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation against Israel, with the launch of 5.000 rockets and guerrilla incursions in Sderot, in southern Israel. But the attack, as Lucio Caracciolo writes in Limes, differs from other attacks for at least two reasons. First of all for the unprecedented thousands of missiles that rained down on the Jewish State in just a few hours. But above all for theinfiltration in depth of Hamas militiamen who spread terror in the localities near the Strip and beyond, to the point of taking temporary control of some Israeli villages or towns. The attack started both by land, by sea and from the air (with rudimentary means), with great propaganda emphasis on the part of Hamas.
Taken by surprise, the Jewish state finds itself dealing with hundreds of deaths and a socket of hostages Without precedents. For hours, warning sirens rang out in the center and south of the country, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where people ran into shelters. The rocket launch was only the beginning of the conflict: from dozens of points along the border, armed Hamas militiamen (between 200 and 300) entered Jewish territory and the kibbutzim close to the Strip from heaven, earth and sea, taking civilians and soldiers hostage and killing others, while people ran to barricade themselves in shelters. Videos released on social media by sites close to Hamas show terrible scenes of the capture of hostages: according to the media there would be at least 50, but the number was not confirmed either by the military spokesperson or by the political authorities. Israel reacted harshly and the prime minister Netanyahu he didn't hesitate to say: “We are at war. We will win".
Italy in support of the Jewish people. Meetings at the top of the Meloni government today
Solidarity with the government and people of Israel and firm condemnation of the "military and terrorist" attacks. The government presided over by Giorgia Meloni, like all Western democracies, sides with Israel.
The president of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, "deeply dismayed" offers the "president and all Israeli citizens the expressions of Italy's solidarity". To then "reiterate the firmest and most convinced condemnation of this treacherous attack, which threatens Israel's security and distances the prospect of a lasting peace, hoped for by all".
At Palazzo Chigi in pomeriggio Meloni brings together the Foreign Ministers Antonio Tajani, the Interior Ministers Matteo Piantedosi, the Defense Ministers Guido Crosetto, the undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, the top intelligence officials and the diplomatic advisor Francesco Maria Talò, for an "in-depth analysis" which also includes the strengthening of surveillance from possible reprisals on places where the Jewish community meets, including in Italy. While Tajani speaks of "barbaric violence", but reassures about the conditions in which people live 250 Italians at this time temporary guests of Israel. “The government is following the evolution of the situation with concern, in close contact with the EU institutions”, communicates the prime minister.
Biden: “Ready to offer all appropriate means”
Despite the relationships between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu had been tense for months, after the launch of rockets from Gaza the US president had no hesitation and condemned the attack on Israel, calling it a "frightening assault by Hamas terrorists". The United States is "ready to offer all appropriate means of support,” said Biden who continued by addressing the other groups hostile to Israel asking not to take advantage of the situation, a warning that seems to be addressed mainly to Iran. “My administration's support for Israel's security is solid and unwavering.”
The president's words were echoed by those of the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III who, after speaking with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant "to express his condolences for the victims of this frightening, repugnant terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel", reiterated the support of the USA which returns to uniting around Israel.
The UN Security Council convened today
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres also condemned the Hamas attack and reiterated that the only solution is negotiations for a two-state solution. He then convened the Security Council of the UN for a emergency meeting.
All Western countries condemn the Hamas attack
Condemnation of the attack also came from Europe. The French president Emmanuel Macron he expressed it on X, adding "full solidarity with the victims, their families and loved ones". France "condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel and its population" is what the Quai d'Orsay wrote in a note. Paris "reaffirms its absolute rejection of terrorism and its commitment to the security of Israel."
Also on X, the Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares he spoke of "indiscriminate violence" and "strongly condemned the terrorist attacks". Similar words from the foreign ministry tedesco.
The "unequivocal" condemnation also arrived on X from the European Union, through the post of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen who in turn reiterated "Israel's right to defend itself".
Also “the UK unequivocally condemns Hamas' horrific attacks on Israeli civilians and "will always support Israel's right to defend itself," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly wrote on social media.
Russia blames the United States
From Russia, the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, asked "the Palestinian and Israeli sides to immediately cease fire, renounce violence and demonstrate the moderation necessary to start, with the help of the international community, a process negotiations with the aim of the much desired global and lasting peace for the Middle East”. If this lasting global peace has not been achieved so far, according to the vice president of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev the blame - there is no doubt - must be attributed to the United States. As a solution he called for a civil war in the USA, as the only thing that could stop "America's maniacal passion for unleashing conflicts everywhere on the planet".
“The outbreak of fighting between Hamas and Israel was predictable – said Medvedev according to media reports – The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for decades. And the United States is a key player in this context. Instead of actively working for an Israeli-Palestinian solution, these idiots have meddled with us and are helping the neo-Nazis with all their might.”
From Ukraine President Zelensky's solidarity arrives: "Nowhere in the world can terrorism be given a single chance." Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye they urge “all parties” to “act with restraint”.
La China is deeply concerned about the current escalation of tension and violence between Palestine and Israel. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said this. China calls on "the relevant parties to maintain restraint and calm, immediately stop the fighting, protect civilians and prevent the situation from deteriorating." The note highlights the difficulties and "the long-term stagnation of peace processes" which are now unsustainable. The fundamental way to calm hostilities “lies in the implementation of the 'two countries' and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.” “The international community – continues the note – should improve the sense of urgency, increase investments in the Palestinian issue, promote the immediate recovery of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and seek a long-term peaceful way”. Finally, China "will continue to make tireless efforts with the international community in this regard".
Iran and Lebanon support Hamas
Iran stands out as it praises the Palestinian missile raid which Lebanon associates with. Iran gave its support to Hamas so that it could launch the surprise and unprecedented attack on Israel. Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad declared this to the BBC. Iran also congratulates the attack, which it considers a "turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
