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Israel’s Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, highlighted two crucial reasons for the significance of India’s support to Israel. Firstly, India’s global importance plays a pivotal role. Secondly, Gilon emphasized India’s extensive experience in combatting terrorism, stating, “India approaches this issue from a position of knowledge, not ignorance, given its long-standing battle against terrorism. We are immensely grateful for this support. Israel primarily seeks moral and political backing, as we are well-equipped to handle on-the-ground operations. What we need is the capacity to execute our plans and ensure that Hamas poses no further threat to anyone.”
Following Prime Minister Modi’s tweet expressing solidarity with Israel, numerous Indian ministers, civil servants, and businessmen reached out to Ambassador Naor, confirming the strong show of support.
Also Read: The two major shifts that altered India-Israel-Palestine relations
In a distressing development, dozens of Israeli civilians have been taken hostage by Hamas during an unexpected attack from Gaza. Heart-wrenching accounts from families describe the anguish of losing contact with their loved ones. An Israeli woman recounted how she was speaking to her children on the phone when they were abducted by Hamas militants. Yoni Asher, another individual, shared his experience of losing contact with his wife, Doron, and their two daughters. He later saw a video showing them being loaded onto a cart, leaving no doubt in his mind that they had been taken to Gaza by tracking their phones. He sorrowfully remarked, “Later on, when I saw the video, there was no doubt. My wife and my two little daughters were on this cart. I know for sure they have been taken.”
Israeli actor Gal Gadot has also responded to the ongoing crisis in Israel. In the wake of the surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian terror group Hamas, she took to Instagram to express her heartbreak over the devastating events. The Wonder Woman actor stood in solidarity with Israel and shared news reports about the attack on Gaza. In her caption, she mentioned that over 250 Israelis had lost their lives, with dozens of women, children, and elders held as hostages in Gaza by the Palestinian military group Hamas. She described the situation where more than 3,000 rockets were fired early in the morning, with Hamas holding hostages and controlling bases and settlements in Israel. She expressed deep concern for those in pain, saying, “I hear their voices, and they are banging on the door. I am with my two little children.” Her heartfelt message concluded with a prayer for all those affected by the crisis.