Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, expressed gratitude for the extensive support his country has received from India in the wake of the recent Hamas attack. In a press conference, Ambassador Gilon underscored the significance of this support, citing India's deep understanding of terrorism and its global influence. He noted that India's unique perspective, born from its own experience with terrorism, adds to the value of this support.


"We are deeply moved by the overwhelming support we have received from India. This support has come not only from the Prime Minister but also from several ministers who have reached out to me, as well as from businessmen and civil servants. Our social media is brimming with messages of support, and we sincerely appreciate it," Ambassador Gilon stated, as quoted by news agency ANI.



"India is not just an important nation on the world stage, it is a nation that understands the menace of terrorism intimately, making its support all the more meaningful. Israel seeks moral and political support, as we are well-equipped to handle the on-ground situation. Our primary goal is to ensure that Hamas does not pose a threat to anyone else," he emphasised, as per ANI's report.


Ambassador Gilon also addressed the casualties resulting from the conflict, acknowledging that there were both Israeli and foreign casualties, but he refrained from providing specific names at that time. He expressed Israel's commitment to sharing this information with the world once it becomes available.


He further discussed the tactics employed by Hamas, stating, "We know Hamas from the past. They will likely begin hiding behind civilian populations and are now holding Israeli hostages to portray themselves as victims. This has always been their strategy. This is why we need strong support from our Indian friends and India as a globally influential nation."



Regarding the ongoing situation, Ambassador Gilon acknowledged the challenge of civilian hostages in Gaza but expressed confidence in Israel's ability to manage it. He highlighted Israel's defense systems such as the Iron Dome and safe room protocols, which have been effective in minimising casualties from missile and rocket attacks.


Ambassador Gilon addressed the loss of civilian life, including children, women, and the elderly, due to Hamas actions. He reported that the number of casualties, currently at over 300 killed, is expected to rise and noted that there was no information about Indian foreign nationals being among the casualties.


"They (Hamas) murdered, hijacked, children, women, elderly. The numbers that we are so far counting, and they will increase, I'm sorry to say, are more than 300 killed, murdered and some of them kidnapped. We don't know of Indian foreign nationals so far, we didn't get any information of such. There are more than 1800 wounded...The terrorists are going to pay a very big price. We will do it in our pace, in our choosing, the way we want it," he remarked, as quoted by ANI.



Ambassador Gilon also touched upon Israel's self-reliance and its readiness to respond to the conflict independently. He stated, "Israel never asked for anyone to come and fight for us. We fight our own battles. It's true that Americans are helping us with supplies and ammunition due to our collaborative efforts in manufacturing and development."


He affirmed that Israel would decide when and how to react to the perpetrators, emphasising that Hamas remains the primary concern for now. He stated that if evidence implicates other parties in supporting the attack, they too will face consequences.


In conclusion, Ambassador Gilon expressed confidence in Israel's ability to prevail against Hamas, driven by the absence of an alternative. He acknowledged Israel's historical resilience, rooted in the Jewish community's history of persecution and challenges, making victory the only viable option.


"We will reserve for ourselves the decision when and how to react. First of all, we are going to react to the perpetrators...For the time being, Hamas is the issue, and others supporting their time will come if we find out that they were behind it... And this is our DNA. It's not something that we did once," he commented, as per ANI.


[tw]https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1711014965526876641[/tw]


The conflict has reportedly resulted in a significant number of casualties on both sides, with Israel and Gaza experiencing devastating losses. Israeli forces have engaged in combat with Hamas fighters, while retaliation strikes in Gaza have led to the destruction of buildings. Tensions have escalated further with a brief exchange of strikes between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, raising concerns of a broader conflict.


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