'Crucial to prevent regional escalation': PM Modi speaks to Israel's Netanyahu as Middle East tensions rise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and highlighted the need for de-escalation.

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

Sharing details of his conversation with Netanyahu, he posted 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.”

The Prime Minister also emphasised India’s commitment to supporting efforts for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

“India is committed to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability,” PM Modi wrote.

The prime minister’s discussion with Netanyahu comes against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Middle East. Israel has been conducting extensive airstrikes in Lebanon, recently eliminating seven high-ranking officials from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

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According to a Washington Post report, Israel is preparing for a limited ground operation in Lebanon and has communicated this plan to the the US.

Earlier, in a direct message to Iranian people, PM Netanyahu assured them Israel’s full support and predicted that the Islamic Republic will collapse sooner than people think, and the Iranian people will be free.

In a video statement issued in English, Netanyahu criticised the Iranian regime, asserting that it “subjugates” its people while making big claims about defending Lebanon and Gaza.

Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant said that elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was not the final step and hinted at Israel’s intention of mounting a ground invasion of Lebanon, after he told troops in the north of the country that “we will use all of our capabilities – including you.”

“The elimination of Nasrallah is an important step, but it is not the final one. In order to ensure the return of Israel’s northern communities, we will employ all of our capabilities, and this includes you,” AFP quoted Gallant as saying to soldiers deployed to the northern border.

With inputs from agencies