Israel resuming war on Gaza enrages Arabs, the world - Region

Al-Ahram Weekly

18-03-2025

Israel's renewal of deadly airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday has sparked widespread condemnation, with Arab and world leaders denouncing the attacks that killed at least 413 Palestinians and wounded over 500.
The strikes, which mark the most intense occupation army escalation since a ceasefire was brokered in January, have fuelled concerns about a return to full-scale war in the region.
"So far, 413 martyrs have arrived in hospitals in the Gaza Strip," the Palestinian health ministry stated, adding that many victims remained trapped under the rubble.
Palestinians: Calls for international action
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the global community to intervene, calling on world powers to "compel" Israel to halt its "aggression" in Gaza. His spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, condemned the strikes and demanded immediate action to prevent further escalation.
During a cabinet meeting, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa echoed these calls, emphasizing the need for urgent diplomatic efforts to end the violence.
Hamas also condemned the renewed offensive, accusing Israel of using mass civilian casualties to impose a "surrender agreement."
Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP that the strikes were intended to undermine the ceasefire deal and warned that the United States was "complicit" in the escalation.
Egypt: Deliberate attempt to displace Palestinians
Egypt, a key mediator in past ceasefires, strongly condemned the attacks. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, in a call with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, denounced the Israeli offensive as an attempt to "make Gaza uninhabitable and force Palestinians into displacement."
The Egyptian foreign ministry labelled the strikes a "dangerous escalation" with "serious consequences for regional stability" and called on the international community to act immediately to prevent further violence.
Arab fury
Qatar, which has played a central role in ceasefire negotiations, warned that Israel's actions risk "igniting the entire region" and jeopardizing security.
Jordan's government spokesman, Mohammed Momani, described the Israeli strikes as "aggressive and barbaric." Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry strongly denounced the bombing of "unarmed civilians."
Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry statement voiced "Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of the Israeli occupation forces' resumption of aggression... and their direct bombardment of areas populated by unarmed civilians."
Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the attacks "an inhuman act" and accused Israeli leaders of "risking the lives of hostages and Palestinian civilians for political gain."
"Leaders of the Israeli occupation are waging an internal battle at the expense of the blood of children and women in Gaza, risking the lives of Israeli hostages in the strip," Aboul Gheit said in a statement.
International backlash
Iran condemned the airstrikes as "a continuation of genocide and ethnic cleansing," blaming the United States for its "direct responsibility" in the attacks. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned of the "catastrophic consequences" of the situation for global peace and security.
The European Union's aid commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, urged an immediate return to the ceasefire, stating: "Civilians have endured unimaginable suffering. This must stop."
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: "We are following with great concern the resumption of fighting in Gaza... which jeopardizes the objectives we are all working towards: the release of all hostages and a permanent end to hostility and the restoration of full humanitarian assistance in the (Gaza) Strip."
France condemned the strikes and warned that they "jeopardize hostage release efforts and threaten Palestinian civilians." Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concern that the escalation "puts at risk the objectives we are all working towards: securing a permanent ceasefire and restoring humanitarian aid."
Russia also denounced Israel's renewed military offensive, with the foreign ministry calling it "deeply regrettable" and warning against actions that "lead to the death of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure."
Renewed war shatters ceasefire
The latest strikes come amid stalled ceasefire negotiations. The initial truce agreement, in place since January, saw Hamas release 33 captives and Israel free 1,800 Palestinian detainees. However, talks have since broken down.
Hamas has pushed for the second phase of negotiations that would include the release of remaining captives, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a permanent ceasefire, as stipulated in the deal.
Israel, however, is pushing to extend the first phase until mid-April, conditioning further talks on the "total demilitarization" of Gaza and the removal of Hamas from power.
With no agreement in sight, Israel has cut aid and electricity to Gaza, further worsening the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated enclave.
Since the beginning of the war, Israel has killed at least 48,572 people in Gaza, the vast majority of whom are women and children.
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