Israel’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Amir Hayek, reaffirmed on Tuesday that Israel is determined to defeat Hamas and protect its citizens at any cost. This statement comes in the wake of a violent assault by fighters from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, who attacked Israeli towns from the Gaza enclave, resulting in over 1,000 Israeli casualties, primarily civilians, and dozens taken hostage.
Ambassador Hayek, speaking from the Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi, stated, “We’ll do everything necessary to ensure that these individuals will no longer pose a threat to our citizens or harm them again.” He emphasized the need to convey a clear message that anyone contemplating such actions and endangering Israeli citizens will face severe consequences and will not be allowed to repeat such acts.
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel placed Gaza, with its 2.3 million Palestinian residents, under a total siege and conducted airstrikes on the enclave. The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 770 Palestinian casualties as a result of these strikes, with most victims being civilians who were targeted in their homes, on the streets, and at gatherings.
Hayek pointed out the gravity of the situation, emphasizing, “I don’t know any sovereign country in the world that could have been in this situation and continued with business as usual without dealing decisively with the terrorists.” He expressed the sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and underscored that these people were targeted not for their actions but for who they were.
Regarding reports of Qatari mediators seeking negotiations for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails, Hayek clarified, “Israel is not negotiating with anyone.”
Amir Hayek serves as Israel’s first ambassador to the UAE, a historic diplomatic milestone achieved in 2020 when the UAE and Bahrain normalized ties with Israel under a pact brokered by the United States, marking a significant departure from decades of Arab policy that prioritized a Palestinian state before normalizing relations with Israel.
