U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken on Saturday discussed Hamas’ attack on Israel with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, the UK Foreign Secretary and Qatari Prime Minister.

“Spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister @FaisalbinFarhan to discuss today’s appalling attacks on Israel. I reiterated Israel’s right to self-defence and called for coordinated efforts to achieve an immediate halt to the violent attacks by Hamas terrorists and other militants,” Blinken wrote on ‘X’ on Saturday.

He also discussed the attack with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. “We appreciate Egypt’s ongoing efforts and reiterate the urgent need to halt the Hamas attacks,” Blinken wrote.

In his talks with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Blinken reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself, rescue any hostages, and protect its citizens.

– ANI

Barrages of rockets were fired at Israel from the blockaded Gaza Strip at dawn on Saturday as militants from the Palestinian enclave infiltrated Israel, with at least one person killed, the Army and medics said.

Rockets streamed across the sky repeatedly after the first launches from multiple locations across the Palestinian territory from 06:30 am (0330 GMT), AFP journalists in Gaza City reported.

The outbreak of conflict follows months of surging violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with fatalities in the occupied West Bank hitting a scale not seen in years.

Air raid sirens wailed across Israel’s south and central areas, with the Israeli army urging the public to stay near bomb shelters.

– AFP