In a recent interview with ANI, Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, highlighted India’s crucial role in the West Asia region. He emphasized India’s significant influence both economically and politically, underscoring its ability to shape the region’s future.
Ambassador Azar expressed appreciation for India’s unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense, stating that Israel was encouraged by India’s stance. He highlighted the strong ties shared by the two nations and expressed optimism about their continued collaboration.
When asked about Israel’s expectations from India, Azar said, “We have good relations with India. We were encouraged by the fact that India has supported our right for self-defense. I think that India has a huge role to play in West Asia because of what they have to offer and what they bring to the table, both economically and also politically.”
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to condemn Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. India has consistently called for a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. Furthermore, India has maintained its support for the ‘two-state solution’ as a path towards a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
Responding to the recent elimination of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, Ambassador Azar emphasized Israel’s ongoing efforts to defend itself against the unprovoked attacks that began on October 7th. He highlighted the devastating civilian casualties and the abduction of over 200 hostages during the initial attacks. While acknowledging the successful destruction of Hamas’s military machinery, he stressed the ongoing need for action in Gaza and Lebanon to ensure the safety of Israeli communities.
“We’ve been trying to defend ourselves against this unprovoked attack, the terrible attack on the 7th of October that caused terrible civilian casualties and resulted in hostages being held. We’ve managed to destroy the military machinery of Hamas, but still there’s some work to do in Gaza and also in Lebanon. We are hoping to get into a situation in which our communities can go back and live free of any threat, both in the south and in the north. We have a lot of resolve to achieve that.”
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the death of Yahya Sinwar, one of the key figures behind the October 7th attacks. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that three terrorists, including Sinwar, were eliminated during their operations in Gaza.
When asked about the possibility of a ceasefire, Ambassador Azar stated, “I don’t know. It depends on the other side. We have said very concretely what we want to achieve. A situation in which Hamas doesn’t rearm and regroup in the Gaza Strip, and a situation in which the UN Security Council resolution is implemented in south Lebanon, and our population can live free of any Hezbollah threats.”
The conflict in Gaza escalated after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023. Approximately 2,500 terrorists breached the border from the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including citizens from more than 30 countries, and the taking of 250 hostages. In response to the attack, Israel launched a counter-offensive against Hamas, vowing to dismantle the entire terrorist organization.