Israel faces one of its most critical moments after being caught off guard by unprecedented attacks from the Islamist Hamas. This offensive, which took place from land, sea, and air in Gaza, has led the international community to speak out, with many nations reaffirming their support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
U.S. President Joe Biden promptly called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing that the United States stands “with Israel” and fully supports its “right” to “self-defence.” These words highlight the close relationship between the two nations and Biden’s firm stance on the situation.
Solidarity messages came not only from Washington but also from Europe. Netanyahu conversed with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Both leaders expressed their “full support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” as reported by the Israeli prime minister’s office.
In response to such displays of support, Netanyahu thanked Biden for the “unreserved support,” emphasizing that a “vigorous and prolonged campaign that Israel will win” is necessary, in his words.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains grave. Medical sources cited by local media report that the death toll in Israel has already exceeded one hundred, with 908 injured since the start of Hamas’s offensive. On the other hand, in Gaza, the toll is equally concerning, with 198 dead and at least 1,160 injured, including about twenty militiamen. Hospitals in Israel and Gaza are on high alert, dealing with the continuous arrival of the wounded. Moreover, Israel has named its military response operation “Iron Swords.”
In this landscape of uncertainty and violence, the world’s nations must seek diplomatic solutions and work together to achieve peace in a region that has been in conflict for far too long.
