Rushdie urges end to fighting between Israel and Hamas | The Guardian Nigeria News

Author Salman Rushdie on Friday called for a “cessation” in fighting between Israel and Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, saying he was filled with “horror” and “foreboding”.

Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7 and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death, according to Israeli officials.

Israel said around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed before its army regained control of the area under attack.

More than 4,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed in Gaza in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the Hamas attack, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.

Making a rare public appearance since a near-fatal stabbing attack in the United States last year, Rushdie said he was horrified at the escalating conflict.

“I am filled with horror about the attack by Hamas,” the British writer told a press conference at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s biggest publishing trade event.

“I’m filled with foreboding about what (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu might do in return.

“I just hope that there can be a cessation in hostilities at the earliest point.”
– ‘Difficult year’ –

Rushdie lost sight in one eye after the attack by a knife-wielding assailant who jumped on stage at an arts event in New York state in August 2022.

The author, a naturalised American based in New York, has faced death threats since his 1988 novel “The Satanic Verses” was declared blasphemous by Iran’s supreme leader.

Wearing glasses with a black lens over his right eye, Rushdie said on Friday: “It’s obviously been a difficult year.”

“But I’m happy to be back in reasonable health,” added the author, who is to receive the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book Trade on Sunday.