By Janet Ekstract, ISTANBUL – Reaction to Israel resuming airstrikes on Gaza was swift with condemnation from a number of world leaders including those of Turkiye, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Russia. On March 18, Israel launched a series of airstrikes that killed over 400 Palestinians, primarily women and children. According to press reports, the Israeli government did inform U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration before the strikes were carried out. Top U.N. officials including U.N. chief Antonio Guterres as well as Arab leaders expressed their shock and horror at the resumption of airstrikes. U.N. spokesman Rolando Gomez told the press: “The secretary-general is shocked by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.” Gomez added: “He strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be re-established, and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally.” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk responded: “I am horrified by last night’s Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza.” He added, “This will add tragedy onto tragedy.” The U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Muhannad Hadi told the press: “This is unconscionable. A ceasefire must be reinstated immediately.”
Meanwhile, officials from Turkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia , Jordan, Egypt and Russia also condemned the strikes. In a statement, the Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it condemns the renewed “aggression by the occupying forces against Gaza.” Turkish officials in a statement referenced Israel’s “genocide policy” and said that Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu is continuing to breach international law, calling the strikes a “massacre.” Egypt echoed Turkiye by calling the strikes a “flagrant violation,” while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media: “Undoubtedly, it’s another deterioration in the situation [in Gaza] and another spiral of escalation that is causing our concern.” Jordanian government spokesman Mohammed Momani said: “We have been following since last night, Israel’s aggressive and barbaric bombing of the Gaza Strip.” Qatari officials who have been mediating the ceasefire and discussions also condemned the strikes, calling for talks to resume to implement the remainder of the ceasefire phases.
Analysts and experts on the region are not holding out much hope of a return to the ceasefire because as the majority point out – Netanyahu’s far-right ministers pushed for him to resume a war on Gaza. The ministers stepped down after a ceasefire deal was implemented but have now returned to the government since Netanyahu gave the green light for renewed air strikes. Though Netanyahu continues to point the finger at Hamas, mass protests by Israelis in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are calling for Netanyahu’s resignation and reminding him that he’s risking the lives of the remaining hostages.
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