The international community has strongly condemned Tuesday's deadly Israeli airstrikes in Gaza which killed more than 400 people, as Israel vowed to intensify attacks if Hamas did not release the hostages still held in the enclave.
The surprise airstrikes broke nearly two months of ceasefire and raised fears of fully reigniting the 17-month war. Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the next steps of a truce, which could include ending the war and releasing the remaining Israeli hostages, had been underway.
In a statement published on Tuesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed its "utmost condemnation" of the strikes. It called on all parties to exercise restraint and allow mediators to continue their efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli attack, saying it is an escalation of the "genocide policy" against the Palestinians and is unacceptable.
Russia expressed concerns about the "major casualties among the civilian population" caused by the Israeli attack, according to the Russian president's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov.
He added that the Kremlin expects the situation to return to a peaceful course.
The Spanish government condemned the Israeli military's actions and warned that this is not the way to achieve peace.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "shocked" by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and has called for the ceasefire in Gaza to be respected.
In a statement, the UN chief called for humanitarian aid to resume for people in Gaza and for the hostages held by Hamas to be released unconditionally.
Int'l community condemn Israel's renewed airstrikes on Gaza
