India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 30, 2024, reaffirming India’s commitment to promoting “peace and stability” in the region. This telephonic conversation took place amidst rising tensions following the assassination of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Lebanon, by an Israeli airstrike on September 28th.
According to a statement from India’s Foreign Ministry, PM Modi discussed latest developments in West Asia with President Netanyahu, and emphasized to him “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.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden addressing reporters at the White House on September 30th has strongly advised Israel against launching a ground invasion of Lebanon, supporting a ceasefire call immediately.
“I’m more aware than you might know, and I’m comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now,” said President Biden at the Roosevelt room.
On September 30th, in a televised address, President Netanyahu underscored, “I speak a lot about the leaders of Iran. Yet at this pivotal moment, I want to address you, the people of Iran. I want to do so directly, without filters, without middlemen. Every day, you see a regime that subjugates you make fiery speeches about defending Lebanon, defending Gaza. Yet every day, that regime plunges our region deeper into darkness and deeper into war.
President Netanyahu stressed every day, their proxies are being neutralized. Ask Mohammed Dev. Ask Nasrallah. There is no place in the Middle East beyond Israel’s reach, asserted Netanyahu while noting that Israel will go anywhere to protect its people and country.
He went on to address the Iranian regime pointing out with every action, the regime is dragging the noble Persian people closer to disaster. Most Iranians know that their government doesn’t care about them. If it truly did, it wouldn’t squander billions on futile wars across the Middle East. Imagine how your lives could improve if that money was invested in your children’s education, healthcare, or in building your country’s infrastructure—water, sewage, everything you deserve.
“Imagine that. But you know one simple thing. Iran’s tyrants don’t care about your future, but you do. When Iran is finally free, and that moment will come a lot sooner than people think, everything will be different. Our 2 ancient peoples, the Jewish people and the Persian people, will finally be at peace,” he added. “Our 2 countries, Israel and Iran, will be at peace. When that day comes, the terror network that the regime built in 5 continents will be bankrupt, dismantled. Iran will thrive as never before. Global investment, massive tourism, brilliant technological innovation based on the tremendous talents that exist inside Iran. Doesn’t that sound better than endless poverty, repression, and war?”
He further said that from cities like Khome and Isfahan to Shiraz and Tiberise, millions of Iranians, with a rich history spanning thousands of years, have a bright future. However, a small group of extremist rulers is stifling their aspirations, he pointed out adding the Iranian people, including future generations, deserve a better life, free from oppression. Though the people of Iran do not support groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, their leaders do. Israel stands with the Iranian people, hoping for shared peace and prosperity.
Responding to the death of Nasrallah, President Biden in a statement on September 28th noted “The United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups,” adding he has instructed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to strengthen U.S. military readiness in the Middle East to prevent further escalation and avoid a broader regional conflict.
“Ultimately, our aim is to de-escalate the ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through diplomatic means. In Gaza, we have been pursuing a deal backed by the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and the release of hostages,” the statement added. “In Lebanon, we have been negotiating a deal that would return people safely to their homes in Israel and southern Lebanon. It is time for these deals to close, for the threats to Israel to be removed, and for the broader Middle East region to gain greater stability.”
Referring to Nasrallah as a “terrorist with American blood on his hands,” Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized “I have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. I will always support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.”
A few days before the Israeli airstrike that killed Nasrallah, a senior administration official during a background press call regarding the situation on the Israel and Lebanon border on September 25th, conveyed that the President and his advisors have been actively engaging with the parties involved in the conflict along the Israel-Lebanon Blue Line, as well as with international partners.
He noted that the President was trying for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon Blue Line. The aim was to negotiate a resolution to the conflict, which began after Hezbollah’s October 8th attack, and to ensure displaced residents in both Lebanon and Israel can return home safely.
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