The following international leaders have made expressions of support for Israel's operation against Hamas:

Acting Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillar: -"We are calling on Hamas and other militants to cease shelling southern Israel…Obviously, they have broken the ceasefire and engaged in an act of aggression against Israel…Israel has responded. We are echoing the calls from around the world for parties to move back to a ceasefire." (December 28, 2008)

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger: December 30-Israel's legitimate right to defend itself is unquestioned. It is also obvious that during a military operation, the law of nations must be complied. The numerous civil victims are unacceptable." (December 30, 2008)

Canadian Minister of External Affairs Lawrence Cannon: -"Israel has a clear right to defend itself against the continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militant groups which have deliberately targeted civilians. First and foremost, those rocket attacks must stop…At the same time, we urge both sides to use all efforts to avoid civilian casualties and to create the conditions to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Gaza…In addition to calling for immediate calm, we urge renewed efforts to reach a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to remain committed to finding a comprehensive peace settlement" (December 28, 2008)

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg: "Let us realise one thing: Hamas increased steeply the number of rockets fired at Israel since the cease-fire ended on December 19. That is not acceptable any more…Why am I one of the few that have expressed understanding for Israel? ... I am enjoying the luxury of telling the truth…" (December 30, 2008)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel:  -"It's the legitimate right of Israel to protect its own people," the "clear, sole responsibility for the situation lies with Hamas" for breaking a cease-fire." (December 28, 2008)

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier: "The Federal Government can in no way accept that Hamas has unilaterally renounced the cease-fire with Israel. Hamas must immediately and permanently stop the intolerable missile attacks on Israel!  We respect Israel's legitimate right to defend itself. At the same time I urge the Israeli side to respect the principle of proportionality in its military actions and to do all it can to avoid civilian losses.  It must be ensured that the humanitarian aid now urgently needed gets to the people in the Gaza Strip. I welcome the fact that Foreign Minister Livni has given assurances to that effect." (December 27, 2008)

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini: -"Condemning in no uncertain terms the indiscriminate and unjustified launching of Qassam rockets by Hamas against the defenceless civilian Israeli population, and calling for its immediate cessation, at the same time Frattini urged Israel to consider, in exercising its legitimate right to self-defence, the difficult situation in Gaza and the need to protect innocent human lives." (December 27, 2008)

Advisor to Palestinian Authority President, Nimr Hammad: The one responsible for the massacres is Hamas, and not the Zionist entity, which in its own view reacted to the firing of Palestinian missiles. Hamas needs to stop treating the blood of Palestinians lightly. They should not give the Israelis a pretext." He called upon the leaders of Hamas to stop carrying out "operations which reflect recklessness, such as the firing of missiles." (December 29, 2008, Source: MEMRI)