World capitals on Saturday roundly condemned a wave of Palestinian attacks on Israel – a sharp spike in violence that has been surging for two years.

Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Palestinian militant group Hamas has “launched a war against the State of Israel”, adding that “troops are fighting against the enemy at every location”.

Here is a roundup of the reactions

Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said it was “closely following” the developments of the unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence on several fronts there.

“The Kingdom calls for an immediate halt to the escalation between the two sides, the protection of civilians, and restraint,” said Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry.

The Kingdom reiterated its warnings of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights, and the repetition of systematic provocations against its santities.

Qatar

Qatar blamed Israel for the ongoing escalation due to its ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Qatar’s foreign ministry urged the international community to act urgently to compel Israel to stop its flagrant violations of international law.

US

A White House National Security Council spokesperson said the US “unequivocally condemns” attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas against Israeli civilians and firmly stands with the government and people of Israel, CNN reported on Saturday.

Turkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged both sides to “avoid impulsive steps that could escalate tensions.”

“This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing. The EU expresses its solidarity with Israel in these difficult moments,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Russia

Russia’s foreign ministry on Saturday called for Israeli and Palestinian forces to stop armed hostilities after attacks launched by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.

“We call on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to immediately ceasefire, renounce violence, show the necessary restraint and – with the help of the international community – establish a negotiation process aimed at establishing a comprehensive, lasting and long-awaited peace,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday that his country stood “in solidarity with Israel” after attacks launched by Gaza militants earlier in the day.

“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel,” Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.”

Germany

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Hamas contributes to “the intensification of violence”, adding Israel “has our full solidarity” and “the right, guaranteed by international law, to defend itself against terrorism”.

France

France expressed “full solidarity with Israel and the victims” and underscored “its absolute rejection of terrorism and its commitment to Israel’s security”. French President Emmanuel Macron said he “firmly condemns” the attacks.

Italy

Italy also backed “Israel’s right to defend itself” against the “brutal attack”. Britain’s foreign minister James Cleverly condemned the “horrific attacks” and underlined Israel’s right to self-defence.

The Netherlands

Dutch PM Mark Rutte said: “Appalling images from Israel. Terror organisation Hamas is waging an unprecedented attack on Israel… This violence must stop; Israel has every right to defend itself.”

Spain

Spain said it was “shocked by the indiscriminate violence” of the attacks on Israel while Ukraine and the Czech Republic said they backed Israel’s right to defend itself. Need for ‘restraint’