Deadly Attack in Tel Aviv Faces Global Condemnation

A deadly attack on a shopping complex in Tel Aviv, which left four dead and five injured, has faced international condemnation. The United States, European Union, Russia, United Nations, and even the President of the Palestinian Authority have condemned the deadly attack that occurred on Wednesday evening, June 9. According to AFP, the U.S. State Department condemned the 'horrific terrorist attack' in Israel, stating that 'such cowardly attacks against innocent civilians are unjustifiable.' Mark Toner, a spokesperson for the department, added that Washington is in contact with the Israeli government to 'express its support.' Nikolai Mladenov, the UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process, also called for 'everyone to reject violence and say no to terrorism.' Mladenov criticized the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas, stating, 'I am shocked to see that Hamas welcomed this incident. Leaders should stand against violence, not incite it and turn a blind eye.' Although Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, did not claim responsibility for the Wednesday night attack, it praised it as a 'heroic operation.' Hamas warned Israel in a statement to 'expect more operations' during Ramadan. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Abbas's office, the President of the Palestinian Authority, issued a statement saying he 'strongly condemns any operation that harms civilians from any side.' Russia also condemned the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv 'in the strongest terms.' According to the TASS news agency, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that 'these completely unjustified terrorist attacks undermine efforts to achieve a permanent and fair solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.' CCTV footage shows two young men dressed in suits and ties entering a café in a shopping complex in Tel Aviv and opening fire on those present. Both attackers have been arrested. The assailants were Muslim Arabs from the Hebron area in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack and stated that his government stands firm against terrorist actions. Security measures have been intensified in the city where the two attackers lived and in the West Bank. Israel has also revoked the entry permits of over 83,000 Palestinians into Israel during Ramadan, including 204 individuals who are relatives of one of the attackers. Tel Aviv, along with Jerusalem, is the largest city in Israel and is often referred to as one of the most liberal cities in Israel due to the coexistence of Muslim Arabs and Jews.