The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday in a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing into several Israeli towns with a heavy barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.

Israel said it was "at war" and began its own strikes against Hamas targets in Gaza, with reports of gunbattles between bands of Palestinian fighters and security forces in southern Israel.

Here is how some of Europe's countries have reacted:

BELGIUM

Belgian foreign affairs minister Hadja Lahbib: "Belgium strongly condemns the massive rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. Violence and terror only perpetuates suffering and hinders the path to dialogue. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We are monitoring the situation closely."

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

President Ursula von der Leyen: "I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. It is terrorism in its most despicable form. Israel has the right to defend itself against such heinous attacks."

EUROPEAN UNION 

Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell: "We follow with anguish the news coming from Israel. We unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas. This horrific violence must stop immediately. Terrorism and violence solve nothing."

CZECHIA

President Petr Pavel said: "The attack conducted from the Gaza Strip is a deplorable act of terrorism against the State of Israel and the civilian population," Pavel said in a statement.

"The rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas commandos into Israel will block any efforts for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a long time."

FRANCE

French President Emmanuel Macron: "I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks. I express my full solidarity with the victims, and their families and those close to them."

GERMANY

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock: "Violence and rockets against innocent civilians must stop now. We stand in full solidarity with Israel and its right under international law to defend itself against terror."

GREECE

Greek foreign ministry: "Greece strongly condemns today's launch of heavy rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel. Greece stands with Israel and is deeply concerned by this unacceptable escalation of violence."

IRELAND

Irish deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin condemned the attack by Hamas militants on Israeli citizens, and said it was "vital that the voice of moderation comes to the fore." Martin said he could "see tensions rising" during a recent trip to the region, and that the scale of Saturday’s attack was "quite shocking."

He said Ireland’s stance to support a two-state solution had not changed. "We believe a two-state solution remains the only sensible and rational solution to this issue and it needs political momentum behind it," he said. My sense is that the hardliners are growing in influence, and that’s why I believe the need to have moderate voices in the center is key."

ITALY

Italian government: "We are closely following the brutal attack taking place in Israel. It condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing terror and violence against innocent civilians. Terror will never prevail. We support Israel's right to defend itself."

NETHERLANDS

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte: "Just spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel. I told him that the Netherlands unequivocally condemns this terrorist violence and fully supports Israel's right to defend itself."

POLAND

Polish foreign minister Zbigniew Rau: "I strongly condemn Hamas's ongoing attacks on Israel. This baseless aggression and acts of violence, especially against civilians, are unacceptable. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these terrible events."

RUSSIA

Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov: "Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries in connection with the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It goes without saying that we always call for restraint."

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SPAIN 

Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares: "We strongly condemn the extremely serious terrorist attacks from Gaza against Israel. We are shocked by this indiscriminate violence."

TÜRKIYE

Turkish president Tayip Erdogan: "We call for restraint from all parties. They must refrain from aggressive acts."

UNITED KINGDOM

UK foreign minister James Cleverly: "The UK unequivocally condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians. The UK will always support Israel's right to defend itself."

UKRAINE

Ukrainian foreign ministry: "Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing terrorist attacks against Israel, including rocket attacks against the civilian population in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We express our support for Israel in its right to defend itself and its people."

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