EuroLeague Basketball suspends upcoming games involving Israeli teams

By Can Erozden

The EuroLeague Basketball on Sunday suspended two upcoming games involving Israeli teams in the EuroLeague and EuroCup competitions amid escalating tensions with Palestine.

"The BKT EuroCup Regular Season Round 2 game between Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv and Wolves Vilnius, which was scheduled to be played on October 11, and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 2 game between EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, scheduled for October 12, have been suspended following the terror attacks and onset of armed conflict in Israel," the EuroLeague Basketball said in a statement.

The basketball body said it is "monitoring the situation" in Israel, and will seek possible options to reschedule their games.

"EuroLeague Basketball reiterates its firm commitment against all acts of violence and in favor of peace, and will continue to use its voice to promote respect, inclusion and diversity, values that sit at the core of the organization and its teams," it said, adding that it expresses deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all people affected by the ongoing attacks.

Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Saturday, saying the attack was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In retaliation, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

At least 600 Israelis and 370 Palestinians are reported dead as the fighting continued into its second day on Sunday.