Telangana [India]: Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, provided insights into Israel’s ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas and address the humanitarian challenges in Gaza amid the conflict.
Israel’s Counter-Offensive
The conflict escalated following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which saw 2,500 terrorists breaching Israel’s border, killing over 1,200 people from more than 30 countries, and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s swift counter-offensive aimed to neutralize Hamas entirely.
Ambassador Azar emphasized Israel’s progress, stating, “We have neutralised all the battalions of Hamas and the missile threat from the Gaza Strip. Now we have to bring back the rest of our hostages. We will continue putting pressure to reach a situation where we get our hostages back and simultaneously prevent the rearming and regrouping of Hamas.”
Dual Operation in Gaza
Ambassador Azar explained that Israel is operating on two fronts inside Gaza:
- Eliminating Hamas militants and dismantling their infrastructure.
- Ensuring humanitarian aid reaches innocent Palestinians in need.
He added, “We are putting military pressure on sporadic attempts by Hamas to rearm and regroup while making a huge effort to facilitate aid for the Palestinian population.”
Misuse of Humanitarian Aid
A significant challenge, according to Azar, is Hamas misusing international aid meant for Palestinians. “Hamas is taking over that humanitarian assistance, and instead of supplying it free of charge to the population, they are charging money to continue controlling the Gaza Strip,” he said.
Israel, he noted, is considering steps to ensure aid reaches its intended recipients. “We want the Palestinian population to get the food they deserve from the international community and a future that has hope for Palestinians in Gaza,” he remarked.
Role of the US and Broader Context
Ambassador Azar thanked the United States for brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and providing generous aid to Israel. “This aid is going to help us prepare for any scenario in the future, especially in the Iranian context,” he said.
The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, marks a critical step toward stability. A joint statement by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted efforts to secure peace and ensure the safety of residents on both sides of the Blue Line.
This ceasefire underscores ongoing international efforts to manage tensions in the volatile region while addressing the humanitarian needs of affected populations.