UN chief condemns Hamas attacks on Israel

ISTANBUL (AA) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned attacks on Israel by Palestinian group Hamas, urging for diplomatic efforts to ease the tension.

“The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms this morning’s attack by Hamas against Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip and central Israel, including the firing of thousands of rockets toward Israeli population centers,” UN chief’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The attacks have so far claimed numerous Israeli civilian lives and injured many hundreds,” Dujarric added. “The Secretary-General is appalled by reports that civilians have been attacked and abducted from their own homes.”

Guterres is “deeply concerned for the civilian population and urges maximum restraint,” it added. “Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times.”

He urged “all diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflagration,” stressing that “violence cannot provide a solution to the conflict, and that only through negotiation leading to a two-state solution can peace be achieved.”

UN chief’s remarks came after Palestinian group Hamas said it launched Operation Al Aqsa Flood, and that its surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis. Hundreds of Israeli settlers forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

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

At least 198 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while Israeli authorities put their death toll at 200.