On 7 October 2023, a large escalation of the Gaza–Israel conflict began with a coordinated offensive by multiple Palestinian militant groups, led by Hamas, against Israel. A number of countries, including many of Israel's Western allies, such as the United States and a number of European countries, condemned the attacks led by Hamas, expressed solidarity for Israel and stated that Israel has a right to defend itself from armed attacks, while countries in the Islamic world (including the Axis of Resistance) expressed support for the Palestinians, blaming the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories as being the root cause for the escalation of violence. The events prompted several world leaders to announce their intention to visit Israel, including US President Joe Biden,Here's what Biden's trip to Israel did and didn't achieve Retrieved 7 May 2024Biden's Israel visit focuses on Netanyahu after Arab summit cancelled Retrieved 7 May 2024Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spread Retrieved 7 May 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron,Why is France's Macron visiting Israel? Retrieved 7 May 2024French President Emmanuel Macron Arrives In Israel On Solidarity Visit Retrieved 7 May 2024 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz,Germany's Scholz to visit Israel and Egypt this week Retrieved 7 May 2024"You cannot combat terror by military means alone" Retrieved 7 May 2024After Colombia, now Turkey: Which other nations have cut ties with Israel over Gaza war? Retrieved 7 May 2024 and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.Honduras recalls ambassador from Israel for consultations Retrieved 7 May 2024South Africa and Chad recall diplomats from Israel Retrieved 7 May 2024
Numerous countries called for a ceasefire and de-escalation. International organizations, student organizations, charities, ecumenical Christian organizations, and Jewish and Islamic groups commented on the situation. On 27 October 2023, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce and cessation of hostilities, adopted by a vote of 121 states to 14, with 44 abstentions.General Assembly Adopts Resolution Calling for Immediate, Sustained Humanitarian Truce Leading to Cessation of Hostilities between Israel, Hamas Retrieved 7 May 2024How Asia-Pacific States Voted on the UN's Israel-Palestine Resolution Retrieved 7 May 2024Turkey recalls ambassador to Israel over 'humanitarian tragedy in Gaza' Retrieved 7 May 2024 As a result of the war, Bahrain,Bahrain recalls ambassador from Israel amid escalating assault on Gaza Retrieved 7 May 2024 Chad,Chad recalls its ambassador from Israel Retrieved 7 May 2024 Chile,Chile recalls Israel ambassador for talks after Gaza attacks Retrieved 7 May 2024 Honduras, Jordan, South Africa, and Turkey, recalled their ambassadors from Israel, citing Israeli actions during the war, while Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, and Nicaragua severed diplomatic relations with Israel.
Countries
Africa : The Foreign Ministry issued a statement heavily condemning the Israeli bombing of Gaza, urging international bodies to intervene in the conflict and declaring sympathy for the Palestinians fighting against "Israeli colonial settlement". In March 2024, Algeria proposed a motion to the United Nations Security Council to release a statement condemning the Flour massacre, which was blocked by the United States. : Angola called for restrain and dialogue by both parties. : In December 2023, Benin voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : The Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning violence against civilians by both sides and urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities. : In December 2023, Burundi voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : Cape Verde voted to condemn Hamas at the United Nations. : Cameroon backed Israel and condemned Hamas. : The Central African Republic voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : Chad voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. On 5 November, it recalled its ambassador to Israel. : Comoros voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : RO Congo voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : The DRC condemned Hamas and backed Israel. : Djibouti expressed support for Palestine. : Egypt urged both Israel and Palestine to exercise restraint. It also said the international community should "urge Israel to stop the attacks and provocative actions against the Palestinian people and to adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law with regard to the responsibilities of an occupying state." The Foreign Ministry warned of "severe dangers" and encouraged de-escalation. On 25 October, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warned that a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip would cause "many, many civilian casualties". Sisi said that Israel's bombing of Gaza "went beyond the right to self-defense, turning into collective punishment for 2.3 million people in Gaza." : In December 2023, Eritrea voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : The government said that they would not take sides in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. : Gabon was one of four countries to vote at the United Nations Security Council in favor of a Russian-drafted resolution that condemned all violence in Gaza without explicitly condemning Hamas. : The Gambia voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : The Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that "While Ghana affirms its support for Israel's right to exist and defend itself, it calls on the Israeli government to exercise restraint in its response to Hamas attacks". : Guinea voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations.
: President Umaro Sissoco Embaló condemned the actions by Israel when he called for "a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, lamenting the escalation of violence and loss of human life." He later called on "both sides to hold back because there is a lot of human loss." : Korir Sing'Oei, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, said that the country strongly condemned "the despicable terror attack against Israel and regrets the carnage and senseless loss of life", while repudiating "the planners, funders and implementers of this heinous attack". It acknowledged Israel's "right to retaliate", but urged "a peaceful path to resolving this unfortunate development". : The High Council of State expressed support to Palestine and asked the Government of National Unity to sever diplomatic relationships with countries supporting Israel, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs Taher al-Badour called for an immediate halt of Israeli attacks in Gaza. The House of Representatives expressed support for Gaza, condemned Israel and asked the rival Government of National Stability to totally halt oil exports to countries which support Israel and the immediate expulsion of the ambassadors of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy from Libya. : Malawi voted to condemn Hamas at the United Nations. : Mali stated its support for Palestine. : Mauritania condemned Israel's military actions and a call for international intervention to protect Palestinian civilians. The Mauritanian government declared three days of national mourning following a deadly strike on a hospital in Gaza, which they described as "genocide" and urged the international community to impose an immediate halt to the violence. : The Foreign Ministry expressed "its deep concern at the deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of military action in the Gaza Strip", and condemned "attacks against civilians wherever they may be". Morocco voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : Mozambique was one of four countries at the United Nations Security Council that voted in favor of a Russian-drafted resolution that condemned all violence in Gaza without explicitly condemning Hamas. : The government condemned the escalation of violence, urged for diplomatic solutions and called on Israel to "cease its attacks and refrain from engaging in provocative acts against the Palestinian people." : Niger stated its support for Palestine. : Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar called for de-escalation, and asked both sides "to exercise restraint, prioritise the safety of civilians and give room for humanitarian considerations". : The government said it "extends its deepest condolences and sympathy to the Government and the People of the State of Israel following attacks on Israeli territory". : The Polisario Front expressed support for the Palestinian people. : Senegal voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. : The Seychelles voted to condemn Hamas at the United Nations. : Somalia blamed Israel for the al-Ahli Arab Hospital bombing. : The Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for de-escalation and blaming the conflagration on "the continued illegal occupation of Palestine land, continued settlement expansion, desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Christian holy sites, and ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people". South Africa affirmed its support of a two-state solution. Foreign minister Naledi Pandor was criticized by the South African Jewish Board of deputies for taking a phone call from Hamas ten days after its attack and accused her of taking sides in the conflict. Pandor denied expressing support for Hamas and said that she expressed support for the Palestinian people and discussed aid for the people of Gaza. South Africa voted against condemning Hamas at the United Nations. On 6 November, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced a withdrawal of all its diplomats from Israel. On 21 November, the National Assembly passed a motion calling for the closure of the Israeli embassy and the cutting of diplomatic ties until Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza. On 29 December, South Africa submitted the case South Africa v. Israel (Genocide Convention) to the International Court of Justice, arguing that Israel was responsible for a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. In May 2024, ICJ judges called on Israel to halt its intended military offensive in the city of Rafah. : President Salva Kiir Mayardit wrote to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that South Sudan expressed "deepest sympathies to you and the people of Israel for the people you have lost to the heinous and provoked terror by Hamas," stating further that "no amount of political grievances can justify the killings of innocent civilians". South Sudan voted to condemn Hamas at the United Nations. : The Foreign Ministry said that Sudan supported "the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to have their independent state", and called "for adherence to international resolutions and the protection of innocent civilians". : The Foreign Ministry condemned all violence and called for dialogue between both sides. : Foreign Minister Robert Dussey issued a statement saying that Togo "strongly condemns the Hamas terrorist attack against Israeli civilians." : A statement from the Presidency said that the abstention was because the resolution did not go far enough in order to support the Palestinian people. It said that its "position will be to fully stand by the Palestinian people until they recover their entire land". : President Yoweri Museveni expressed concern for the situation and called for dialogue. : Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo backed Israel in a statement condemning Hamas' attacks. : Zimbabwe condemned Israeli actions in Gaza.
Americas
: The government issued a statement condemning Hamas and conveying sympathies to the families of the victims of the attacks.