Municipal leaders are among those responding to the growing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Saint John’s deputy mayor said council is mourning the loss of all innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians.

“The war that has broken out has shocked us, and on behalf of the Mayor and Common Council, I extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected,” John MacKenzie said in a statement issued by the city on Tuesday.

“Our hearts and minds are with our Israeli and Palestinian Saint John residents and their families, who are dealing with this tragedy, and we want them to know that we have them in our hearts and prayers.”

The city lowered the Canadian flag to half-mast until Wednesday morning “in recognition of the innocent lives that have suddenly been lost.”

Israel declared war against Hamas after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on Saturday.

In response to the weekend attack, Israel launched a bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands more have been injured in the past several days.