FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits on a Black Hawk helicopter as he visits the Palmachim Air Force Base near the city of Rishon Lezion, Israel, July 5, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “mighty vengeance” against Hamas after the Palestinian militant movement launched a surprise attack on Saturday, killing more than 150 Israelis and taking numerous captives.
In a brief video address, he said Hamas would be held responsible for the well-being of the captives and said Israel would settle the score with anyone who harmed them.
World leaders were urged on Saturday to show solidarity and unity in supporting Israel and condemning the “terrorist attack” by the Palestinian Islamist group.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose army has been fighting a war Russia launched against it 19 months ago, said that Israel – just like Ukraine – has “every right” to protect itself.
READ: Israel ‘at war’ as Hamas gunmen launch surprise attack from Gaza
“Let the value of human life and the intolerance of terror be the principles that will finally unite the whole world,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
“Wherever they aim their missiles and whomever they attack, terrorists must lose. And this is important for the whole world.”
READ: 70 dead, hundreds wounded in Israel-Hamas fighting