For Diwali this year, Israel envoy requests Indians to 'light a diya' for hostages held by Hamas
Israel's ambassador to India has urged Indians to light a 'Diya of Hope' for the hostages from his country who are being held by Hamas since last month's assault.
Condemning Hamas for its October 7 onslaught, Israel's Ambassador to India Naor Gilon has said that if the country is able to eliminate Hamas terrorists, it will also decrease chances of a ripple effect.
Gilon posted a video on X and said that just as Lord Ram's return is celebrated on Diwali by lighting Diyas, a diya (lamp) must be lit in the hope of having our loved ones return.
«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,» Gilon said.
«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,» he said.
He said that Israel waited for weeks and asked civilians to evacuate to the south, but Hamas used civilians as human shields.
«If we are able to eliminate Hamas, if we get the time, it will decrease the chances that it will have a ripple effect.
You see, we were waiting for weeks and asked civilians to evacuate to the south,» the Israeli envoy said.
«But Hamas used civilians as human shields. They hid in the hospital.
There is international pressure on them,» Naor said on being asked about the future of West Asia amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Naor further underlined how the Hamas infiltrated Israel on October 7, penetrated 30 Israeli communities and killed 1400 people.
«I think that if we are able to, to eliminate Hamas as we hope to do. If we get the time to do it as we hope to do it, it will decrease the chance, significantly that there will be a ripple
