International leaders condemned an unprecedented incursion by Palestinian militants into southern Israel, while governments across the Middle East called for restraint after an attack that shook the Israeli security establishment.

Egyptian officials said they were scrambling to contain the crisis diplomatically, including regular consultations with the Jordanian foreign minister, Ayman Al-Safadi, in an effort to find ways to de-escalate the situation.

“Egypt called for exercising the utmost restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further risks, warning of serious repercussions as a result of the escalation of violence, which would negatively affect the future of truce efforts,” the foreign ministry said.

The incursion shocked international observers, particularly among the governments of the Middle East, upending expectations that Israel could continue to push for peace negotiations with former foes across the region despite increasing violence on the ground.

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, called for restraint from all parties, a sentiment echoed by Qatar, which has long provided financial support to the besieged Gaza Strip and blamed Israel for the increase in violence.

The UAE, which signed a deal to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel two years ago, also issued a statement describing “deep concern about the escalation of violence,” and calling for “maximum restraint and an immediate ceasefire to avoid dangerous repercussions”.

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