Wednesday, February 19, 2025
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HomeWorldIsraeli Envoy Praises India's Support, Highlights Cooperation And Ceasefire Progress

Israeli Envoy Praises India’s Support, Highlights Cooperation And Ceasefire Progress

New Delhi [India]: Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar expressed his gratitude for India’s support and acknowledged the overwhelming solidarity from the Indian people.

Speaking to media, Azar said, “We are very grateful that India recognises our right to self-defence. We are enjoying overwhelming support from the Indian people. It is warming our hearts.”

Highlighting the importance of continued collaboration, he stated, “We will continue working with India to promote cooperation in the region.” He also praised India’s potential role in fostering regional development, adding, “India has an amazing role to play as it can bring more investments in this region.”

Addressing the recent ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Azar described it as a “significant juncture” with the potential to secure the return of hostages and ensure that Hamas refrains from further violence. “It is a gradual path; we are getting back 33 hostages in the next 42 days. We will engage in negotiations on the second path. We are willing to continue the ceasefire provided that we get our hostages and Hamas doesn’t remain there,” he explained.

Regarding the role of US administrations in the ceasefire, Azar acknowledged the contributions of both outgoing President Joe Biden and incoming President Donald Trump. “The ceasefire was thanks to many elements who were part of the negotiations, including both the incoming and outgoing (US) administrations… It was a collaborative effort,” he said.

When asked about the potential impact of Trump’s return to office, Azar commented, “It depends on where the focus is going to be. We hope that we can re-engage with the Trump administration in the expansion of the Abraham Accords and projects of regional cooperation.”

The envoy also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his resilience, stating, “PM Netanyahu has proven in the last 15 months that he will not be subject to pressure.”

The first phase of the ceasefire-hostage deal between Hamas and Israel came into effect on January 19. Earlier, over 100 hostages were freed during the weeklong ceasefire in November 2023.

Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting over 200 others. In response, Israel’s counter-offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians.

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