NATO Defense Ministers have called on the Hamas movement to immediately release all captives, while also acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself “with proportionality.” This statement, issued on Thursday, expressed solidarity with Israel and emphasized its right to defend itself in the face of these unjustifiable acts of terror. NATO also called for the fullest possible protection of civilians.
The Hamas attack on October 7 was characterized by the infiltration of thousands of fighters from the Gaza Strip into Israel, as reported by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his address to a NATO defense ministers meeting. Gallant described how Hamas initiated a conflict targeting children, women, and entire families, with thousands of terrorists crossing the southern border and launching numerous missiles simultaneously.