“Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks,” said Ursula von der Leyen
‘’The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments,’’ says Joseph Borrell.
The EU “unequivocally’’ condemned the massive attacks launched early Saturday morning by Hamas on Israel.
At least 22 Israelis were killed in the attacks as the terrorist organization fired 2,500 rockets at the country’s South and Center and sent dozens of terrorists into communities located along the Gaza border. More than 250 Israelis were being treated at hospitals; Hamas said it abducted soldiers and civilians and took them back into Gaza
“I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel,” European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said in a statement. “It is terrorism in its most despicable form.”
“Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks,” she said.
“This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief said in a statement. “The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments.”
European Council President Charles Michel also condemned the “indiscriminate attacks launched against Israel and its people this morning inflicting terror and violence against innocent citizens”.
Israel is at war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, hours after Hamas began a massive missile attack and dispatched dozens of terrorists to infiltrate Israeli communities in the South.
“We are at war, not in an operation or in rounds [of violence], but at war. This morning, Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the State of Israel and its citizens. We have been in this since the early morning hours,” Netanyahu said in a video address from the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
“I convened the heads of the security establishment and ordered—first of all—to clear out the communities that have been infiltrated by terrorists. This currently is being carried out.
“At the same time, I have ordered an extensive mobilization of reserves and that we return fire of a magnitude that the enemy has not known. The enemy will pay an unprecedented price,” the prime minister continued.
“In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win it.”