Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned attacks on Israel by Hamas militants in a Saturday post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Today, the entire world saw horrifying videos from Israel. Terrorists humiliate women and men, detain even the elderly, and show no mercy,” Zelensky’s post read. “In the face of such a terrorist strike, everyone who values life must stand in solidarity.”
“We in Ukraine have a special feeling about what has happened. Thousands of rockets in the Israeli sky… People killed just on the streets… Civilian cars shot through… Detainees being humiliated…,” Zelensky continued. “Our position is crystal clear: anyone who causes terror and death anywhere on the planet must be held accountable. Today’s terrorist attack on Israel was well-planned, and the entire world knows which sponsors of terrorism could have endorsed and enabled its organization.”
Hamas’ attack involved its militants infiltrating Israeli towns and the launching of missiles into Israel. Fighting in the region has resulted in the deaths of at least 250 people in Israel and 232 in Gaza, according to Israeli local media and the Palestinian government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack “murderous” in a televised address Saturday.
“We are at war — not in an operation or at rounds, but in a war,” Netanyahu said. “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price. … We are at war and we will win it.”
Zelensky also said Israel “has a right to defend itself against terror” in his post.
“As any other state,” Zelensky continued. “And it’s critical that the whole world responds to terror in a unified and principled manner.”
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said early on Saturday that the U.S. “unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians.”
“There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks,” Adrienne Watson said in a statement. “National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners.”
Updated 4:08 p.m.