Light a Diya of hope for hostages held by Hamas: Israel's envoy to India ahead of Diwali

Israel’s Ambassador to India Naor Gilan has asked Indians to light a ‘Diya of Hope’ for all the hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 onslaught ahead of Diwali. “240 of our loved ones have been held hostage by Hamas Terrorists for a month. Every Diwali, we celebrate Lord Ram’s return by lighting Diyas,” Gilon said in a video that he published on X.

240 of our loved ones have been held hostage by #HamasTerrorists for a month.

Every #Diwali, we celebrate Lord Ram's return by lighting Diyas.

THIS #Diwali2023 we invite you to light a Diya 🪔 in the hope of having our loved ones return 🫶🏼

Tag us and share your photos using… pic.twitter.com/281xfx4Xa1

— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) November 8, 2023

He added, “THIS #Diwali2023 we invite you to light a Diya in the hope of having our loved ones return Tag us and share your photos using the #DiyaOfHope.” Meanwhile, Israel’s ground forces in the Gaza Strip aimed on Wednesday to locate and disable Hamas militants’ vast tunnel network beneath the enclave, the next phase in an Israeli offensive that has killed thousands of Palestinians.

Gaza City, Hamas’ main stronghold in the territory, is encircled. Israel says its troops have advanced to the heart of the densely-populated city while Hamas says its fighters have inflicted heavy losses on the invading forces.

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Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel had “one target - Hamas terrorists in Gaza, their infrastructure, their commanders, bunkers, communications rooms”.

With inputs from agencies