As Israel retaliates against Hamas, foreign officials "remain in close contact," while others applaud the "proud operation."

 As Israel retaliates against Hamas, foreign officials "remain in close contact," while others applaud the "proud operation."

On Saturday morning, Hamas militants unexpectedly attacked Israel, setting off a raging outcry from world leaders. As the conflict killed nearly 200 lives and injured 1,610 people, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his nation was "at war." Many nations have come forward to 'unequivocally' condemn the attack and provide help, while others have praised the militant group for its 'glorious operation'.

In a formal statement released on Saturday, the US denounced the 'unprovoked' attack and expressed its condolences. 

"Our support for Israel's right to self-defense is steadfast...According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, "Our agency will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism."

Brazil, which this month took over the rotating UN Security Council president, has signaled preparations to call an urgent UNSC meeting in response to the incident. 

"The UK categorically denounces the heinous assaults carried out by Hamas against Israeli people. Israel's right to self-defense would always have the support of the UK, said James Cleverly, the foreign minister of Great Britain.

"I categorically denounce the terrorist attack on Israel that was carried out by Hamas. "This is terrorism in its most abhorrent form," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission.

Officials from Iran, on the other hand, praised the Palestinian attack as a "proud operation of Al-Aqsa Flood."

"Today's operation opened a new chapter in the struggle against the occupiers through armed resistance. According to Nasser Kanani, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, "the resistance has so far triumphed brilliantly during this operation, and this is a bright spot in the history in which the Palestinian people's struggle against the Zionists."

Others, like Kuwait, accused Israel of carrying out "blatant attacks" on its people.