UK, Japan condemns attack on ‘innocent civilians’ by Hamas

Condemning the terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas, the United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida extended condolences to bereaved families. Taking to the social media platform, X, UK PM, Rishi Sunak wrote, “As the barbarity of today’s atrocities becomes clearer, we stand unequivocally with Israel. This attack by Hamas is cowardly and depraved,” as he pledged support to his Israel counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. “We have expressed our full solidarity to @netanyahu and will work with international partners in the next 24 hours to co-ordinate support,” he added. In a major escalation on Saturday, Hamas launched a “surprise attack” on Israel, firing a barrage of rockets into the southern and central parts of the country. The toll from the rocket attacks and ground assault by Hamas went past 300 on Sunday, with another 1,864 people reported to be injured. Several Israelis were taken as hostages in Gaza, the Times of Israel reported citing officials. Condemning the attack in the “strongest” terms, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a post on X, said, “Hamas and other Palestinian militants attacked Israel from Gaza yesterday. Japan strongly condemns the attacks which severely harmed innocent civilians.” “I express my condolences to the bereaved families and heartfelt sympathies to the injured,” Kishida said. @@@@