Israeli forces clashed with gunmen from the Palestinian group Hamas yesterday (8) hours after the militants launched a surprise attack on Israel in which about 600 people were killed in the deadliest day of violence in Israel for 50 years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was “at war” and called for a mass mobilisation of army reserves.

The attack comes at a time of mounting tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, with the peace process effectively dead for years. Over the past year, Israel’s far-right Government has ramped up settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settler violence has displaced hundreds of Palestinians there and tensions have flared around a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site, as per foreign media outlets.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka said that it is deeply concerned about the attacks and escalation of violence, and also the resulting loss of life in Israel and Palestine. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an immediate halt to violence and all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further civilian casualties. As per a statement issued by the Ministry, Sri Lanka remains committed to supporting a negotiated settlement in line with internationally agreed parameters of two states living side by side on the basis of the 1967 borders.

“We extend our deepest condolences to all those who lost loved ones and express our sympathies to the affected families,” it said, adding that the Sri Lanka Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are monitoring the situation closely and are in contact with Sri Lankans living in the affected areas. So far, one Sri Lankan has sustained minor injuries.

This is, in a context where the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, has said that he is in contact with the Sri Lankan mission in Israel, and that he has directed the SLBFE to prioritise the safety of Sri Lankan workers living in that country. He added that the situation is being monitored closely, and that the relevant Sri Lankan authorities are ready to take swift action to protect Sri Lankan migrant workers.

(With inputs from The Hindu)