Russia blames US for causing conflict between Israel and Hamas

Commenting on the October 7 escalation between Israel and the Gaza-based militant group Hamas, Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel that the events were predictable. “This is a problem that Washington and its allies should have solved,” he explained, noting that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has lasted for decades, with the United States “a key player there.” Instead, Medvedev said, “these fools have meddled in our region and are actively helping neo-Nazis, pitting two friendly peoples against each other.”

On the morning of October 7, Hamas militants launched a massive attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets, which then breached the border fence and flooded several Israeli towns bordering the Gaza enclave. According to the Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom, at least 40 Israelis were killed and 740 others were injured.

In a speech to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war. He also vowed that “the enemy will pay a price they have never known.” A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed that fighting was still ongoing and that Hamas militants were still present in many areas. Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes on Gaza.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves against what he described as “terrorist acts by settlers and occupiers.” The White House issued a statement condemning what it called “unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israeli civilians.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reassured Israel that the US commitment to Israel’s security remains “unwavering.” He promised that in the coming days, the Pentagon would “work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect its civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”