Tunisia says Palestinians have right to reclaim their occupied lands

TUNIS, Tunisia

Tunisia declared "full and unconditional" solidarity with the Palestinian people Saturday.

The presidency released a statement on Facebook regarding attacks by Hamas' armed wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, against Israel that affirmed Palestinians’ right to reclaim their occupied lands.

It noted the rights of Palestinians to establish an independent state and expressed Tunisia's hope that all "conscientious" people worldwide will remember the hundreds of massacres committed by the Zionist enemy against Palestinians and stand with them.

The statement also urged the international community to take responsibility for putting an end to Israel's "barbaric attacks" against Palestinians.

Hamas launched Operation Al Aqsa Flood on Saturday and said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In turn, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said we are "at war." He urged civilians in Gaza to leave as the Israeli military is going to turn "all Hamas hiding places into rubble."

At least 232 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks, according to medical sources in Gaza, while the Israeli death toll climbed to 300.

More than 3,000 rockets have been launched by Hamas toward Israel since morning, according to the Israeli army.

It acknowledged soldiers had been captured and taken hostage into Gaza, and confirmed that over 1,000 Israelis were injured, in a statement on X.

*Writing by Necva Tastan