Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Wednesday discussed the ongoing conflict on Israel’s northern front, focusing on escalating tensions with Hezbollah. Azar outlined Israel’s goals in the ongoing military operations, which aim to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and ensure a ceasefire.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Azar stressed that Israel’s primary objective is to deter Hezbollah’s actions, which according to him began with an unprovoked attack on October 8, 2023.
“We have been trying to reach a ceasefire for the past 11 months,” Azar said, adding that Israel’s military action is focused on disarming Hezbollah and protecting its civilians.
He justified Israel’s use of force, saying, “We hit 1,700 military targets… Hezbollah deployed weapons and missiles in violation of international law.”
The ambassador also addressed concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, saying Israel had taken extensive measures to minimize civilian casualties by warning residents to evacuate. “Because of this, the number of casualties is significantly lower than the number of targets we hit,” he said.
When asked about the broader implications of Hezbollah’s actions and the possibility of further escalation, including a ground invasion, Azar said Israel was prepared for all scenarios.
“We don’t want to turn this into a full-blown war… but if we have no choice, we have to do it,” he said, highlighting Israel’s readiness to do so and stressing its priority for peace.
Azar also spoke on regional dynamics, pointing to Iran’s involvement in training and arming Hezbollah. He warned that Tehran’s actions pose a major threat to stability in the Middle East.
“Iran thought they could successfully strangle Israel… they were wrong,” Azar said, criticizing Iran’s strategy of using regional proxies such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis to destabilize the region.
Responding to questions about speculation about possible retaliation from Iran following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, Azar dismissed the possibility of a direct confrontation with Iran. He cited Israel’s ability to thwart previous Iranian missile attacks and reiterated that Iran would be making a “big mistake” if it decided to engage directly.
Azar then highlighted the important role of international cooperation in maintaining regional peace and stability, citing the participation of the United States and Arab states in this.
He also underlined India’s growing influence in the region, especially in post-conflict reconstruction of West Asia.
He said, “India’s role is increasing… important countries in the region want to engage with India in different ways.”
“Once this war is over, we will be able to return to the plan of building a corridor of connectivity between Asia and Europe. It is possible, it is feasible, and I am sure India will be a major part of this effort,” Azar said.