NATO closes ranks with Israel and asks Iran and Hezbollah not to take advantage to aggravate the situation

2023-10-12 18:30:17

Los defense ministers of the NATO have not only heard first-hand this Thursday “atrocities” committed by the Islamist organization Hamas since last weekend. During the videoconference meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav GallantIn addition to informing them of the situation, they have also shown them images and videos of the acts perpetrated. “It has a strong impact on all of us when we see the images and video that describe the consequences of this horrible attack against Israel,” explained the organization’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, without giving details about the content. The allied countries have closed ranks with Israel and have expressed all their “solidarity“although many have asked”proportionality” in response.

“As the conflict evolves, it is important protect civilians and this was clearly expressed by the allies. Wars have rules and there is the question of proportionality and this was underlined by many allies who, at the same time, have condemned the brutal atrocities and violence of Hamas,” explained the Norwegian politician on behalf of NATO after a two-day ministerial meeting that It started with the surprise visit of the president of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski.

In addition to condemning the “terrorist attacks”, the allied countries have called for the release of “all hostages” and the protection of all civilians and have warned that no nation or organization should take advantage of the situation to aggravate the conflict. “The situation in the Middle East is very difficult now. And, of course, there is always the risk that nations and organizations hostile to Israel will try to take advantage. And that includes, for example, Hezbollah and countries like Iran“Stoltenberg recalled.

Iran and Hezbollah

“No one should try to exploit this vile attack by Hamas to provoke further bloodshed or instability. Our support for Israel is rock solid. We are working urgently to give Israel what it needs to defend itself, including ammunition and interceptors, and we will do so as we continue to support the people of Ukraine 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,” stressed the US defense secretary. Lloyd Austin.

Despite this warning, USA There is currently no evidence that the Shiite organization Hezbollah is concentrating troops on the border with Lebanon nor that Iran is behind the planning and execution of the attacks experienced in Israel in recent days. Even so, he has made it clear that Washington will continue to strengthen its presence and help the Binyamin Netanyahu’s government without conditions or demands in exchange for the help 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 the conduct of their campaign. We leave it to them to define their operations. We have no reason to believe that they would do something different,” added the American leader.

Accession of Sweden

In addition to talking about the situation in Israel and Gaza, the Defense Ministers have also reviewed the NATO missions and operations -in the Western Balkans and Iraq- and have reviewed the implementation of the defense plans agreed at the Vilnius summit. Stoltenberg recalled that the Alliance will hold its annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noona training exercise that this year will take place in Italy, Croatia and the Mediterranean Sea.

Stoltenberg has once again warned that if it is confirmed that the incident this week surrounding an underwater cable in the Baltic is deliberate, it would be a “serious” act and has welcomed progress in the Sweden’s accession process to NATO. As explained by the Norwegian, the Turkish Defense Minister, Yasar Guler, has conveyed to the allies that he accepts the Vilnius agreement to finalize the accession, which is why he hopes that the Government of Recp Tayyip Erdogan will now refer it to the Turkish National Assembly the approval. Allied sources are confident that the process will accelerate in the coming weeks and that Sweden will be able to participate in the next NATO Foreign Ministerial, at the end of November, as a full member of the Alliance.