On Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on September 30 and discussed recent developments in West Asia. PM Modi expressed India’s commitment to supporting efforts for early restoration of peace and stability. In a post on X, PM Modi said, ‘Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability’.
In October last year, Israel launched a counter-offensive against Hamas after hundreds of Hamas terrorists burst into Israeli borders, killing over 1200 people and taking over 250 hostages, out of which 100 continue to be in captivity.
The war has spiraled into the region lately, with Houthi rebels in Yemen also targeting Israel and other countries in the Red Sea. Israel has also continued striking Hezbollah in Lebanon. As the conflict heads towards escalation, all major countries have called for a ceasefire and hostage deal while also stressing for a two-state solution as a means to achieve durable and sustainable peace in the region.
Spoke to Prime Minister @netanyahu about recent developments in West Asia. Terrorism has no place in our world. It is crucial to prevent regional escalation and ensure the safe release of all hostages. India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 30, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the war with Hamas can end if the latter lays arms and releases the hostages while asserting that Israel will continue its fight until it achieves total victory. Netanyahu said there is no place in Iran, where the long arms of Israel cannot reach, while adding that it is true for the entire Middle East. In his address at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu accused Hamas of stealing humanitarian aid and selling it to people at higher rates. He said, ‘This too has to end, and we are working to bring it to an end’.
The Israeli PM said that if Hamas stays in power, it will regroup, rearm and attack Israel again and again and again’. ‘Hamas has got to go’. Stressing that the war will end if Hamas lays down its arm, he said, ‘As far as hostages, I have a message for Hamas captors. Let them go, all of them. Those alive body, must be returned alive and the remains of those whom you brutally killed must be returned to their families. Those families here today and those in Israel’.
He also asserted the need to defeat Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. He added, ‘This war can come to an end now, all that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages. But if they don’t, we will fight until we achieve total victory. There is no substitute for it. Israel must also defeat Hezbollah in Lebanon’.
Netanyahu said Israel has brought home 154 of these hostages, including 117 alive and pledged to not rest until all the hosatges are brought home. He pointed out the hostage families in attendance and asked them to stand up. He narrated the stories of each of the hostages represented by their families, including those whose bodies were taken to Gaza.
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