Israel's Mission: Secure Hostages and Eliminate Hamas, Says Ambassador to India

Synopsis

In an exclusive interview, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar emphasized Israel's commitment to securing hostages and dismantling Hamas to prevent future threats. He highlighted military achievements and the need for stability in the region.

Key Takeaways

Israel is focused on recovering all hostages.
Destruction of Hamas is crucial for future security.
Recent ceasefire has allowed for the release of some hostages.
Israeli military has responded decisively to October 7 attacks.
Collaboration with international powers may benefit regional stability.

New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) Israel is unwaveringly committed to securing the return of its hostages while also aiming to eradicate the Palestinian militant group Hamas, ensuring it can no longer pose a military threat or govern Gaza in the future, stated Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, during an exclusive interview with IANS on Wednesday.

"We have successfully retrieved most of our hostages, with around 69 still remaining. Unfortunately, about half of them are deceased. We have managed to bring back nearly 190 hostages and remain steadfast in our objective as determined by our cabinet," Azar remarked.

"Our mission is to recover all our hostages while simultaneously ensuring that Hamas is dismantled and incapable of posing a military threat or governing Gaza... We recognize that if Hamas were to regain control of Gaza, the likelihood of another incident like October 7 would increase significantly. Thus, we are resolute in pursuing both objectives," he emphasized.

Since the ceasefire commenced on January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages in widely publicized exchanges.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified that the release of Palestinian prisoners will be postponed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" associated with the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire agreement.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the deadly assault by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages taken, the Israeli Ambassador commended the efforts of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the decisive measures taken by the government.

"We have not only endured and survived, but we have also successfully provided a decisive response to the attack on October 7... This includes addressing not only Hamas’s actions but also the broader context of what Iranian proxies have attempted against Israel. We have significantly mitigated the threat posed by hundreds of thousands of rockets from Hezbollah, as well as capabilities being developed in Syria and Iran against us," Azar stated.

Both the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) Shin Bet have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all terrorists responsible for the October 7 massacre and will take action against anyone who threatens the nation.

"The success of this military operation means that Hamas no longer has a military apparatus capable of threatening Israel's population centers. Additionally, Hezbollah no longer poses a significant threat to northern Israel, and Iran has sustained severe hits to critical points in their missile program. This is crucial because when those who have pledged to destroy us are weakened, it opens a chance for peace and stability. We currently have a unique opportunity, aided by Israeli military successes and the forthcoming Trump administration, to achieve positive outcomes for the region," Azar concluded.