NATO allies support humanitarian pause in Gaza war, says Stoltenberg

The NATO military alliance has joined calls for a "humanitarian pause" in the Israel-Hamas conflict to allow critical aid to get into Gaza.

Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance's secretary-general, told reporters on Thursday that they are supporting diplomatic efforts for a humanitarian cease-fire.

"International law must be respected, civilians must be protected, and NATO allies support a humanitarian pause to allow aid to reach Gaza," he said in Berlin ahead of a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"The suffering we have seen in recent weeks reminds us once again that we must not give up work for a lasting, peaceful, political solution," Stoltenberg said.

He also warned regional actors against taking steps which could trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East.

"The war in Gaza must not turn into a major regional conflict, Iran and Hezbollah must stay out of this fight," he stressed.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children and 2,823 women, have been killed since then. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Besides the large number of casualties, massive displacements, and thousands of buildings razed to the ground, basic supplies are running low for Gaza's 2.3 million residents due to an Israeli siege.