Help rebuild Palestine: Israel envoy
Reuven Azar, Israeli ambassador to India, called the day “historic,” after US President Donald Trump unveiled his plan to bring an end to Gaza crisis. “We welcome PM Modi’s statement on Trump’s Gaza peace plan,” Azar added, underlining the significance of India’s endorsement in the international arena.
He asserted that the peace plan provides a potential path to full Palestinian Statehood through negotiations while emphasising that the plan has gained widespread international support, including from Arab and Muslim countries, as well as India. Azar clarified that Israel has no intention of maintaining a physical presence in Gaza as part of the agreement.
Ambassador Azar invited India to participate in the reconstruction of Palestine. He mentioned a recent visit by an Israeli finance delegation to India, encouraging collaboration in infrastructure development for Palestinians.
Calling India “the new builder of the world,” Azar praised its supportive role in promoting peace and economic activity in West Asia. He expressed hope that a stable security environment would pave the way for economic growth, including the potential lifting of Gaza’s blockade, in place since Hamas took control in 2007.
Central to the Trump plan is the urgent need for reforms within the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank. The plan also focuses heavily on the “deradicalisation” of Gaza. A key condition for progress, according to Azar, is that the new governing body in Gaza must exclude Hamas, whether directly or indirectly.
Should Hamas accept the plan, it would open the door for Israel to expand the Abraham Accords—peace agreements initiated by Trump that have normalised relations between Israel and several countries. On the question of Pakistan’s role, Azar noted that the backing of Muslim countries is vital. He explained that previous calls for Israel’s unconditional withdrawal from Gaza were complicated by concerns about Hamas’s control in the region.
Azar admitted uncertainty about Hamas’s acceptance but said the conflict’s resolution hinges on either embracing the peace plan or continuing the war.
