UK, US and allies offer Israel ‘steadfast and united support’ in joint statement

US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, France President Emmanuel Macron, Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged in a joint statement on Monday steadfast and united support for Israel and unequivocally condemned Hamas for its appalling acts of terrorism.

Today, we — President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States — express our steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal… pic.twitter.com/mUP4I1MGw0

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2023

“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism.  In recent days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, slaughtered over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children, and entire families, who are now being held as hostages,”  said the statement released by the White House.

“Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasise that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage,” added the statement.

The statement added that the leaders “recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” but said Hamas “offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed.”

The joint statement came after an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on Saturday by the Palestinian militant group, with Israel responding with airstrikes and a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip.

At least 900 people have reportedly been killed in Israel since the conflict began on Saturday, with more than 650 dead in Gaza. More than 100 people have been taken hostage by Hamas, according to Israel’s foreign ministry.

With inputs from agencies

from Firstpost World Latest News https://ift.tt/K4SbFfQ