UAE condemns Hamas’ ‘serious and grave escalation’

The United Arab Emirates condemned the Hamas movement for its “serious and grave escalation”.

“The Ministry is appalled by reports that Israeli civilians have been abducted as hostages from their homes,” the UAE said in a statement. “Civilians on both sides must always have full protection under international humanitarian law and must never be a target of conflict.”

Offering condolences to the families of the victims, the UAE called on “both parties” to de-escalate and avoid “an expansion of the heinous violence with tragic consequences affecting civilian lives and facilities”.

“The UAE underscored that the international community needs to work together to prevent the violence risking wider instability and spillover, including the involvement by other groups,” the statement continued, underlining the importance of returning to negotiations for a two-state solution.