Israel's ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, has said that his country welcomes any help from India to free civilians held hostage by Hamas. “We were moved by the first reaction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that came on the same afternoon,” Gilon said referring to Modi's expression of solidarity soon after the Hamas's attack on Israel.
Israel confirmed on Thursday that at least 203 people—both Israelis and foreign nationals—are being held hostage in Gaza after the Hamas attack on October 7. Revising the number from the earlier 155, Israeli military said earlier this week that the families of the hostages have been informed.
Speaking to the Indian Express about India's support, Gilon said: “We have got a show of support from all levels here—officials, ministers, civil society, and even people on social media.” Gilon said that many countries are trying to put pressure on the Hamas to secure the release of civilians held hostage. Gilon said Israel would welcome “any help from India” for release of the hostages.
He added: “India has a special place in the world. If India is able to speak to people who have influence over them, we would welcome that.”
Pinning the blame of the Gaza hospital attack on Hamas, Gilon said, “we are very sorry that while trying to kill Israeli children the Hamas killed their own children too.”
Gilon's comments come as US President Joe Biden, who arrived in Israel on Wednesday, also reiterated his support for Tel Aviv. Biden said that he had seen evidence that suggested that “the other team”, not Israel, was behind the hospital attack.
Gilon said that the Iran connection in the Hamas incursion “is clear” and there are concerns that Iran is trying to unleash Hezbollah to “open up a second front.”
As the war escalates, and the Israeli Defence Force mulls a full-scale ground invasion, Israel had called for evacuation of over 2 million Gazans and ordered them to move towards the south of the Gaza Strip.
