TOKYO — The shock Hamas assault on Israel Saturday has prompted a flurry of reactions from Asian governments, various in tone and substance however almost unanimous in condemning the violence, amid fears of an much more lethal escalation within the days forward.

Militants from the blockaded Palestinian enclave of Gaza fired rockets and crossed into Israel’s southern territory. Footage on social media confirmed fighters from Hamas, thought-about a terrorist group by the U.S. and Europe, participating in shootouts and taking hostages, apparently together with civilians. Many commentators described the assault as an unprecedented failure of Israeli intelligence.