NATO urges release of Hamas hostages, vows support for Israel

Oct. 12 (UPI) -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg pledged support to Israel on Thursday and called on Hamas to immediately release scores of hostages taken to the Gaza Strip in Saturday's surprise attack.

Stoltenberg, on the last day of the NATO defense leaders meeting in Brussels, said Israel has the right to defend itself against the terror group and protect its civilians, adding, "Israel does not stand alone."

"No nation or organization hostile to Israel should seek to take advantage of the situation or to escalate the conflict," he said. "Today a number of NATO allies made clear that they are providing practical support to Israel and doing everything possible to provide for their affected citizens."

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant briefed the 31 leaders via video, calling Hamas the "ISIS of Gaza" and sharing graphic video of the attack on Israeli civilians and foreign nationals.

Stoltenberg later described the images in the video as "horrific."

"We have been hit hard. Yet make no mistake -- 2023 is not 1943," Gallant said. "We are the same Jews, but we have different capabilities. The state of Israel is strong. We are united and powerful."

Beyond the Middle East, the NATO meeting also comes amid rising fears that tensions between Kosovo and Serbia could result in further violence. Just weeks ago, a police officer was killed and others were injured when Serb paramilitaries besieged a small northern Kosovo village.

And Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues with the future of support for Kyiv appearing clouded. Political opposition continues to grow in the United States, its largest backer, and Europe over the supply of weaponry and financing the countries are committing to President Volodymyr Zelensky's army.

The meeting is the first since July's NATO Summit in Lithuania, where members made several agreements to increase spending and strengthen defense and deterrence.

Early Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters the meeting presents them with an opportunity to continue the work on implementing decisions made in Lithuania.

"We remain focused on strengthening defense and deterrence for NATO," he said, before adding the defensive union "is as strong and as united as I've ever seen it."