The Government says it condemns in the strongest terms, the attack by the Hamas group on Israel, resulting in the deaths, injury and abduction of Israeli civilians.  

Prime Minister Andrew Holness in a statement posted to X formerly Twitter, says the country conveys its sympathies to the government and people of Israel and to the families of all those affected.

He adds that Jamaica firmly believes that the use of violence and terror has no place in international relations and should never be used against innocent civilians.

Mr. Holness says Jamaica calls for a cessation of hostilities, a return to peace within internationally agreed guidelines and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Government formally declared war Sunday on Hamas militants in Gaza, setting the stage for a massive Israeli military response to the Islamist militant group’s surprise attack on the Jewish state.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would “take mighty vengeance” against Hamas, even as Israeli soldiers battled Hamas fighters Sunday in the streets of southern Israel and launched retaliatory airstrikes that leveled buildings in Gaza.

The Israeli military says at least 700 people died in the attacks overall, more than 2,000 were injured, and that a number of hostages are being held in Gaza.