The international community fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas will spread to the Middle East
Countries with political influence in the Middle East fear that the conflict will spread to the region.
“Everything must be done to prevent regional escalation. “We strongly condemn Hamas and its brutal terrorist attacks against Israel and its people,” said European Council President Charles Michel.
The President of the European Council called for the unconditional release of all hostages and said Israel had the right to defend itself on the basis of international law.
The European Union has promised to provide aid to the most vulnerable civilians. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would send planes carrying basic supplies to Egypt so that they could reach humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip. I just haven’t said how since I have access to Gaza remain closed.
The European bloc also has an internal concern: that this conflict will exacerbate certain tensions across the continent and fuel extremism.
In France, the school where a teacher was murdered on Friday (13) by a man investigated for links to terrorists had to be evacuated this Monday (16) due to a bomb warning.
In Belgium this Monday (16) two Swedish fans were killed in a case that the police classify as terrorism. The fans were in Brussels for a football match. The shooter had a rifle. And according to witnesses, he shouted “God is great” in Arabic. He fled and the police locked down the country maximum alert. Belgian authorities removed fans from the stadium and the European Commission ordered its staff not to take to the streets.
1 of 1 The international community fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas will spread to the Middle East Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction The international community fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas will spread to the entire Middle East will Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited a Jewish school in London. He said there was no place in British society for antiSemitism and prejudice against the Jewish people.
Later in Parliament, Sunak again said he supported Israel’s right to defend itself, fight Hamas, free hostages and strengthen longterm security. At the same time he promised another 10 million pounds the equivalent R$60 million in support of the Palestinians.
Also on Monday (16), the British Prime Minister spoke with the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. Rishi Sunak reiterated the British position that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and said again that the UK defends a twostate solution: a Palestinian state alongside an Israeli state, both living in security.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government, which has often been critical of Israel, said on Monday that time for political solutions was running out. The Foreign Minister wrote on a social network that it would be “inevitable” that the conflict would also affect other fronts.
Iran provided logistical and financial support to Hamas for many years. Iran denies any involvement in the attack on Israel but says Hamas would be willing to release the hostages if Israel ends its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
In Beijing, China’s foreign minister said the country supports the United Nations’ call to protect civilians. Wang Yi said China will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza, adding:
“If Israel has the right to establish a state, so does Palestine. China will continue to stand on the side of peace, justice, international law and human conscience,” he said.
The person who spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this Monday (16) was Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin told Netanyahu that Russia was ready to end the conflict peacefully. Vladimir Putin noted that Moscow had submitted the text of a resolution to the United Nations calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. The Russian text condemns acts of terrorism but does not specifically name Hamas.
Russia itself has been at war for 17 months after invading Ukraine. However, the Russian president maintains good relations with Arab rulers, such as the Syrian dictator Bashar alAssad. Putin spoke with Assad and the leaders of Iran and Egypt as well as the leadership of the Palestinian Authority. According to the Russian president, everyone expressed the same concern: that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could turn into a regional war.
Turkey, another key country in Middle East politics, said it was discussing the release of civilian prisoners with Hamas chief Ismail Haniya.