Ready for ground operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah if needed: Israeli envoy

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Wednesday discussed the ongoing conflict on Israel’s northern front, focusing on the rising tensions with Hezbollah. Azar outlined Israel’s goals in the ongoing military operations, aimed at enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and securing a ceasefire.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Azar emphasised that Israel’s primary objective is to halt Hezbollah’s actions, which he says began with an unprovoked attack on October 8, 2023.
“We have been trying to achieve a ceasefire for the last 11 months,” Azar explained, adding that Israel’s military actions were focused on disarming Hezbollah and protecting its citizens.
“We targeted 1,700 military targets… Hezbollah introduced weapons and missiles, breaching international law,” he stated, justifying Israel’s use of force.
The Ambassador also addressed concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, stating that Israel had taken extensive measures to minimise civilian casualties by warning residents to evacuate. “Thanks to that, the number of casualties is pretty low compared to the number of targets we have targeted,” he said.
When asked about the broader implications of Hezbollah’s actions and the possibility of further escalation, including a ground invasion, Azar affirmed that Israel is prepared for all scenarios.
“We prefer not to escalate it to a full-fledged war… but if we don’t have any choice, we will have to do it,” he remarked, highlighting Israel’s readiness while stressing its preference for peace.
Azar also touched on the regional dynamics, pointing to Iran’s involvement in training and arming Hezbollah. He warned that Tehran’s actions pose a significant threat to stability in the Middle East.
“Iran thought they could successfully choke the state of Israel… They were mistaken,” Azar declared, criticizing Iran’s strategy of using regional proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis to destabilise the region.
Responding to questions about speculation of possible Iranian retaliation following the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, Azar dismissed the likelihood of direct confrontation with Iran. He referenced Israel’s ability to thwart previous Iranian missile barrages and reiterated that Iran would be making a “huge mistake” if it chose to engage directly.
Azar then highlighted the critical role of international cooperation in maintaining regional peace and stability, citing the involvement of the United States and Arab states.
He also underscored India’s growing influence in the region, particularly in the post-conflict reconstruction of West Asia.
“India has an increasing role… very important players in the region want to engage with India in different ways,” he said.
Azar said, “Once this war is over, we will be able to go back to plans that we had to create a corridor of connectivity between Asia and Europe. This is in the cards, this is achievable, and I’m sure that India will be a major part of this effort.”