Following the Hamas group’s surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, and Israel’s counterattack in the Palestine territory of Gaza, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Monday called for a ceasefire by all parties.

“Further, the savage nature of the attacks and counterattacks are the antithesis of civilised life and living. Innocent lives are being lost amidst the fervour and violence of the actual combatants,” Caricom said in a statement.

“Caricom thus joins the responsible members of the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire and end of hostilities by all parties,” Caricom added.

Backed by a barrage of rockets, Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and abducting others in an unprecedented surprise attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday. A stunned Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, with its prime minister saying the country is now at war with Hamas and vowing to inflict an “unprecedented price.”

In an assault of startling breadth, Hamas gunmen rolled into as many as 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip, including towns and other communities as far as 15 miles (24 kilometres) from the Gaza border. In some places they gunned down civilians and soldiers as Israel’s military scrambled to muster a response, according to the Associated Press.

Israeli media, citing rescue service officials, said at least 250 people were killed and 1,500 wounded in Saturday’s attack, making it the deadliest in Israel in decades. At least 232 people in the Gaza Strip were killed and 1,700 wounded in Israeli strikes, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Hamas fighters took an unknown number of civilians and soldiers captive into Gaza.

Caricom said: “The recent round of hostilities reflects the pain and suffering of ancient quarrels. The ongoing harsh conditions under which the Palestinians live in veritable colonialism and Israel’s sense of insecurity will contribute to a cycle of violence until those realities are definitively addressed.”

Caricom says it will continue to support the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and the ongoing efforts of the United Nations towards a two-state solution as the best way to achieve comprehensive peace, security and tranquillity between Israel and Palestine.