In a rare display of unanimity, Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies collectively condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel and the resulting civilian casualties in Gaza amid intense debates on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and calls for peace-seeking efforts.

By request of The Left, an update session on the conflict in the Middle East was held in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday. Across the board, lawmakers agreed on condemning the Hamas attacks on Israel, as well as the retaliation-driven casualties among the civilian population in Gaza.

"It is not custom, but I just wanted to thank you. You are showing grandeur as the Chamber as we managed to find unanimity in this matter. I just wanted to thank you as a member of the administration", said Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel after a motion filed by MP Gusty Graas in the name of the CSV-DP coalition was unanimously passed.

"The Chamber always appreciates gratitude", responded Chamber president Claude Wiseler in what seemed to be an attempt of lightening the mood. He later mistakenly referred to Bettel as PM, a slip of the tongue that also happened to MP Sam Tanson.

The Middle East conflict was no laughing matter to anyone, however. The Left's MP David Wagner did not hold back on criticism for Israel's response to the Hamas attack: "For those who do not perish under the bombs, the Israeli government ensures that the Gaza strip becomes uninhabitable by destroying schools, hospitals, potable water, food, medicines, and all vital infrastructure. The Israeli government explains that all of this is important to destroy Hamas. But it is becoming clearer with each passing day that the war against Hamas is used as a pretext to drive Palestinians out of Gaza."

MP Fernand Kartheiser of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) stressed the need for both sides to install a peace-seeking government: "We need political solutions for the future of the region and of Palestinians especially. This includes a Palestinian authority for the West Bank and for Gaza, which are recognised by Israel. This will allow for negotiations leading to a two-state solution, as well as recognised and secure borders for everyone."

Prime Minister Luc Frieden was meanwhile criticised by several MPs for saying in his New Year's interview that he would refrain from judging when Israel has to stop its attacks.