With great pain, the religious community of Ukraine, most of which is represented by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, learned about the brutal and unprovoked attack by the militants of the terrorist movement Hamas on the state and people of Israel. This insidious terrorist attack was carried out by Hamas militants during the Jewish religious holidays, when millions of people were praying in synagogues or peacefully resting.
The terrible images being broadcast remind us of what Ukraine experienced and is currently experiencing during Russia's aggressive attack: civilians who tried to evacuate were killed; there were massive rocket attacks on peaceful settlements, civilian infrastructure, and hospitals; cars were shot; private houses and apartments were burned; hostages, including women and children, have been captured. The aggressor defiantly violates all norms of morality and international law.
We stand in solidarity with the state and people of Israel in this terrible tragedy. We express our sincere condolences to the victims' families and wish the injured a speedy recovery. We sympathize with the families of the prisoners of the terrorists and expect the hostages a quick return home, alive and well, as soon as possible.
We strongly condemn yet another display of inhumane, brutal violence carried out by the terrorist movement Hamas with the support of other terrorist organizations and the states that sponsor it. Attempts to stir up another military conflict play into the hands of those who in this world ignore humanity and humanism, nor international law and diplomacy, and do not appreciate the highest gift we have from the Creator—life.
We sincerely believe in the ability of both Israel and Ukraine, with God's help, to win a decisive victory over a ruthless and cynical enemy, protecting their freedom and independence, women and children, older people and men, cities and villages, for the sake of security and in the name of humanity.