In a statement issued on Thursday, NATO Defense Ministers urged the Hamas movement to promptly release all captives while acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself in a manner that is proportionate.
“Allies expressed solidarity with Israel, making clear that it has the right to defend itself with proportionality against these unjustifiable acts of terror.
“They called for Hamas to immediately release all hostages and for the fullest possible protection of civilians.
“Allies also made clear that no nation or organization should seek to take advantage of the situation or to escalate it,” the statement read.
The Hamas attack on October 7 was accompanied by the infiltration of thousands of fighters from the Gaza Strip into Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday.
“On Saturday at 7 o’clock in the morning, Hamas began a war against children, women, and entire families.
“Thousands of terrorists have crossed our southern border, firing thousands of missiles at the same time,” Gallant said during his address to a NATO defense ministers meeting.
