Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced his rhetoric regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which broke out over the weekend when the jihadist group began carrying out terrorist attacks against the Israeli civilian population. The prime minister assured the public that although "Israel didn’t start this war," which he defined as "brutal and savage," "it will end it."
In a video that he posted on his social media, Netanyahu reminded the terrorist group that its attacks will have strong consequences.
"Hamas will understand that by attacking us, they have made a mistake of historic proportions. We will exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel’s other enemies for decades to come. The savage attacks that Hamas perpetrated against innocent Israelis are mind boggling: slaughtering families in their homes, massacring hundreds of young people at an outdoor festival, kidnapping scores of women, children and elderly, even Holocaust survivors," he said.
Israel is at war.
We didn’t want this war.
It was forced upon us in the most brutal and savage way.
But though Israel didn’t start this war, Israel will finish it.Once, the Jewish people were stateless.
Once, the Jewish people were defenseless.
No longer.Hamas will… pic.twitter.com/eVECGnzLu3
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 9, 2023
In turn, the prime minister assured that the Hamas terrorists are “savages,” since they even “tied up, burned and executed children.”
"In fighting Hamas, Israel is not only fighting for its own people. It is fighting for every country that stands against barbarism. Israel will win this war, and when Israel wins, the entire civilized world wins," he concluded.
Recently, Hamas stated that it would execute an Israeli hostage every time the Jewish state carries out a "surprise" attack on the Gaza Strip.
The UN Secretary-General called for an end to the "vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization"
Antonio Guterres was "deeply alarmed" by reports of more than 500 Palestinian deaths. "I recognize the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people. But nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killings, maiming and abduction of civilians," he added.
The UN Secretary-General condemned both the Hamas terrorist attacks and the Israeli response. "While I recognize Israel's legitimate security concerns, I also remind it that military operations must be conducted in strict accordance with international humanitarian law. Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. Civilian infrastructure should never be a target," he continued.
Regarding a solution to the conflict, he did not find any in the short term and called for an immediate end to the violence. "The reality is that it grows out of a long-standing conflict with a 56-year long occupation, and no political end in sight. It is time to end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization," he said.
"Nothing can justify these acts of terror and the killing, maiming and abduction of civilians."
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, delivers a statement on the Israel-Hamas war.
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— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 9, 2023
Abbas calls on UN to end Israel violence
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian National Authority in the West Bank, spoke by phone with Guterres and asked him to intervene to stop the Israeli response. As reported by WAFA, he asked him to "immediately intervene to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip."
Furthermore, he urged the UN to "uphold its responsibilities as recognized by international legitimacy and ensure protection for the Palestinian people."
The United States hopes that China will help bridge differences with Iran
Six American senators from both parties met with Xi Jinping early in the morning to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Monday that the congressional delegation to China asked Beijing to use its influence with Iran to reduce the level of violence.
"A bunch of us made the request that China use its influence on Iran to not allow a conflagration to spread. They have influence with Iran in many different ways," he said. "And we ask them to do everything they could to not have Iran spread this conflagration through themselves and through Hezbollah," he told reporters during a briefing.
According to American officials, the response was positive, since "the Chinese said they would deliver the message to the Iranians."
Number of victims in Israel
As reported by the Israeli embassy in the U.S., the Israeli death toll early Tuesday was close to 1,000 (998), with 3,418 injured. Hamas focused on attacking rural communities in the south of the country, killing and kidnapping civilians.
Social media was responsible for disseminating images and videos of what the people of Israel were encountering during the attacks, which began in the early hours of Saturday, October 7.
I raised with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi the Hamas atrocities against Israel and the need for the world to stand together against terrorism and with the Israeli people.
I pointedly asked that they strengthen their statement. They did. pic.twitter.com/TcHHj6FPID
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 9, 2023
In constant contact with Biden
The Israeli Prime Minister said Monday that he has been in constant contact with the President of the United States since the terrorist attacks began over the weekend. “I would like to thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Israel. The United States supports Israel in every way,” he said at a press conference.
On the U.S. side, Biden met with Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Jon Finer, Liz Sherwood-Randall and Jeff Zients, to discuss actions to take moving forward.
The European Union resumed financing to Palestine
After announcing on Monday that it would suspend funding to the Palestinian Authority, the European Union reversed its decision.
Olivér Várhelyi, EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner stated that the European Commission was reviewing its entire development portfolio (totaling €691 million) and that all payments would be suspended immediately.
“The foundations of peace, tolerance and coexistence must now be addressed. Incitement to hatred, violence and glorification of terror have poisoned the minds of too many. We need action and we need it now," he said.
The supranational organization contributed some 300 million euros to Palestinian entities in 2022, also promising another 1.8 billion euros between 2021 and 2024. The money included millions to the Palestinian Authority to help pay public officials' salaries and fund projects, as well as help refugees through a United Nations agency.
However, just a few hours later, Janez Lenarč, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, assured that the payments would continue. "While I strongly condemn the Hamas terrorist attack, it is imperative to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law. EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians in need will continue as long as it is necessary," he said.
