defense ministers NATO didn’t just hear firsthand this Thursday “Atrocities” committed by the Islamist organization Hamas since last weekend. During a video conference call with his Israeli counterpart, Joab BraveIn addition to informing them about the situation, they also showed them pictures and videos of the actions taken. “When we see the images and videos depicting the consequences of this terrible attack on Israel, it has a powerful impact on all of us,” the organization’s secretary general said. Jens Stoltenberg, without giving details about the content. Allied countries close their ranks Israel and expressed all their thoughts”solidarity“even though many people asked”proportionality” As an answer.
“As the conflict develops, it becomes important protect civilians and this was openly stated by the allies. Wars have rules and there is the question of proportionality, and this was also highlighted by many allies who condemned Hamas’s brutal cruelty and violence.” surprise visit by the president Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
In addition to condemning the “terrorist attacks”, allied countries called for the release of “all hostages” and the protection of all civilians and warned that no nation or organization should take advantage of the situation to further worsen the conflict. “The situation in the Middle East is very difficult right now. And of course there is always the risk that nations and organizations that are hostile to Israel will try to take advantage of this. This includes, for example: Hezbollah and similar countries Iranian“Stoltenberg remembered.
Iran and Hezbollah
“No one should try to exploit this vile attack by Hamas to incite further bloodshed or instability. Our support for Israel is firm. We are working urgently to give Israel what it needs to defend itself. ammunition and interceptorsWe will do this while continuing to support the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. Make no mistake: We can and will support Israel just as we support Ukraine. “The United States can walk and chew gum at the same time,” the US defense secretary emphasized. Lloyd Austin.
Despite this warning United States of America There is currently no evidence that the Shiite organization Hezbollah is intensifying. Soldiers on the Lebanese border It cannot be said that Iran is behind the planning and execution of the recent attacks in Israel. Despite this, he made clear that Washington would continue to strengthen its presence and assist the United States. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government Without conditions or demands in return for the assistance provided. “We have not placed any conditions on the supply of this equipment. This is a professional Army led by professional leaders, and we expect them to do the right thing in conducting their operations. We leave it up to them to define their operations. We have no reason to believe they would do anything differently,” the American leader added.
Swedish accession
In addition to speaking about the situation in Israel and Gaza, the Defense Ministers also reviewed: NATO missions and operations -in the Western Balkans and Iraq- and defense plans An agreement was reached at the Vilnius summit. Stoltenberg reminded that the Alliance will continue its meeting annual nuclear exercise, Fixed NoonA training exercise that will be held in Italy, Croatia and the Mediterranean this year.
Stoltenberg again warned that if the incident surrounding an underwater cable in the Baltics was confirmed to be intentional it would be “serious” action and welcomed progress in the region. Sweden’s NATO accession process. As the Norwegian explained, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler conveyed to the allies that he accepted the Vilnius agreement to finalize membership, so he hopes that the Government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will now send the approval to the Turkish Armed Forces. National Assembly.. Allied sources are confident that the process will accelerate in the coming weeks and Sweden will be able to attend the next NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the end of November as a full member of the Alliance.