New Delhi: Amid the rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and said that India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability.
PM Modi said in a post on X: “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.”
PM Modi’s phone call comes as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Iranian people that “Israel stands with you” in a televised speech on Monday, directly addressing them “without filters, without middlemen.” PM Netanyahu reiterated that “there is nowhere in the Middle East that Israel cannot reach.” PM Netanyahu also urged the Iranian people to reject their “tyrant” regime.
Meanwhile, on Monday US officials confirmed that Israeli ground forces conducted special operations raids in Lebanese territory near the Israel-Lebanon border.
The latest escalation started after Israel is suspected to have exploded thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies owned by Iran-backed Hezbollah members across Lebanon in mid-September. Hezbollah retaliated, with a missile intercepted near Tel Aviv – the first to reach deep into Israel. On Friday, Israel fired missiles into Lebanese territory killing at least 20 top Hezbollah militants, including the group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah and his two close associates.
