Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant will brief his NATO counterparts on the latest developments in the Middle East during a ministerial meeting in Brussels on Thursday, says NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Mr Gallant will also brief the NATO defence ministers on the attacks launched by Palestinian movement Hamas against Israel, Mr Stoltenberg told reporters upon his arrival at the NATO defence ministerial meeting in Brussels.

“This morning we will also be briefed about the horrendous terrorist attacks against Israel over the weekend by Hamas and we will be briefed by the Israeli defense minister,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

On Saturday, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to declare a state of war the following day and launch retaliatory strikes.

On Monday, Israel ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than two million people, cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel.

Both Israel and Palestine have reported several thousand deaths and injuries as a result of the escalation.

Many countries across the globe have started evacuating their citizens from Israel amid the ongoing escalation of the conflict.

(Sputnik/NAN)