Hundreds dead as Hamas stuns Israel

The US and other Western powers on Saturday backed Israel's right to defend itself in the face of a wave of attacks by Hamas and other groups as key West Asian players such as Saudi Arabia urged the world community to back a peace process that leads to a two-state solution.

- Rezaul H Laskar

The surprise attacks by Palestinian militants, dozens of whom infiltrated into south Israel, killed at least 70 people. Israeli combat jets and ground troops targeted Hamas after close to 2,500 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip.

President Joe Biden, who telephoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the "US stands alongside Israel and fully supports Israel's right to self-defence", according to a post on X the premier's office. Netanyahu said a "forceful, prolonged campaign which Israel will win - is necessary".

A White House statement quoted Biden as saying that the US stands ready to offer all appropriate means of support to Israel.

"Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The US warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration's support for Israel's security is rock solid and unwavering," Biden said.

French president Emmanuel Macron, who spoke on telephone with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and Netanyahu, condemned the attacks from Gaza. "France stands in solidarity with Israel and the Israelis, committed to their security and their right to defend themselves," Macron posted on X.