Amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Consul General of Israel to Midwest India, Kobbi Shoshani, has hailed the support extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Shoshani underlined the significance of the bond between the two nations during these challenging times, emphasising that his country needs "moral support" from all over in this time of war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
"The conversation between your Prime Minister and our Prime Minister is extremely important. Even in a day of war, we are in a day of war, our prime minister had a chance to speak to your prime minister. It shows the bond, friendship, and support we get from India. In Israel, it's actually something that passes all over the network. The good relations between the two leaders are very, very important," Shoshani told news agency ANI.
He further added, "We need your moral support; that's the most important thing. When a leader like PM Modi, along with other strong and significant leaders of democracies, supports the State of Israel, it gives us a lot of power, and we really appreciate it."
He went on to acknowledge the role of President Joe Biden, emphasising that both the United States and India, being the largest democracies globally, wield considerable influence. Their steadfast support, as expressed by their leaders, provides a source of strength for Israel's fight against terrorism.
"This declaration of war is because they touched our open wounds, they touched our families, women, elderly people, and children. To slaughter, to massacre children, girls, and elderly people is something we haven't seen. It reminds us of the darkest times for the Jewish people in the Holocaust. Because of that, you have to understand what Israel is. Israel will do the utmost to exact a price from these criminals," the Consul General of Israel to Midwest India remarked.
Speaking about the military operation in Israel's south, he noted the challenges faced by the Israeli Defense Forces in reclaiming control.
"It was a very long, very difficult, and very complicated kind of fighting, passing from house to house. Clearing every house in villages and cities to be sure that everybody is safe. Nobody is there, and all the terrorists are going to be killed by this Operation. Right now, after three days, most of the areas are clear. Of course, there may be some terrorists who are hiding in the bushes, but I can assure you that they won't live for a long time," Shoshani assured in a conversation with news agency PTI.
The Consul General expressed relief that there are no civilians left stranded in the area, and the casualty numbers are deeply distressing. "It is more than 1,000 people. In Israel, it is a very small country. When we mention 1,000 casualties, it means that everyone knows one of the family or the person who was either killed or kidnapped," he emphasised.
Highlighting the personal impact of the conflict, Shoshani shared, "In my personal knowledge, my daughter had two friends; one of them was killed in the party, and one of them was kidnapped to Gaza. Both were 19-20 years old."
Shoshani also conveyed the commitment of Israel to assist foreigners and Indians who wish to leave the conflict zone. "I spoke to the Minister of Foreign Affairs who assured that every foreigner, every Indian who would like to leave, we will give them all the support to send them back home," he stated.
The war's human toll is staggering as Israel has reported at least 123 soldiers have been killed in the attacks by Hamas, which began early Saturday. These fatalities are included in the death toll of more than 900 people previously reported by the Israeli army, CNN reported.
The situation is no less dire in Gaza, where the death toll has risen to 765, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. An additional 4,000 individuals have been injured, it informed, as per CNN.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Jonathan Conricus has stated that approximately 1,500 bodies of Hamas attackers have been recovered inside Israel since the group's surprise attack.
Notably, Hamas has claimed that it is holding more than 100 captives, including Israeli army officers.