Israeli President Isaac Herzog branded Iran an "empire of evil" during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Jerusalem on Monday as the war in Gaza continues.
Herzog labeled Iran as "an empire of evil that wants to undermine the stability of the world and is rushing to the bomb [and] undermining international trade", referring to the Yemeni Houthis' blockade of the Red Sea and Tehran's ongoing nuclear program.
Israel is currently at war with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza which invaded Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 mostly civilians and taking another 250 hostage. The invasion was met by solidarity attacks on Israel's northern border by Iran's Hezbollah in Lebanon, backing Hamas.
Subsequently, Iran's Houthis in Yemen launched a maritime blockade of the Red Sea, causing at least half of the commercial vessels on the key trade route to change course to longer and more expensive routes.
Since October 7, attacks against Israel have also come from Iran's militias in Syria and Iraq, and even Iran itself. In April, Tehran sent a barrage of hundreds of drones, missiles and rockets towards Israel in an unprecedented attack.
Israel and a US-led coalition which included the UK, intercepted most of the projectiles.
Highlighting the regional threat, Herzog stated that Iran is actively "trying to surround Israel by its proxies." He reiterated Israel's commitment to peace, stating, “We are a nation seeking peace, and I believe that we must find peace with our neighbors.”
The President said Israel is “working tirelessly” to secure the return of the hostages, which include women and children, expressing hope for a deal soon. “I sincerely hope that there will be a hostage deal soon. It is a very important step,” Herzog said. In return for the hostages, Hamas is demanding a full ceasefire and the release of hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli prisons, most of whom are held on terror charges.
Lammy, adorned with a yellow ribbon symbolizing support for the hostages' return, echoed the sentiment. “I hope that we see a hostage deal emerge in the coming days, and I am using all diplomatic efforts,” he remarked, noting his recent efforts with the G7 nations and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Egypt, Qatar and the US are among those working for a ceasefire deal between the two warring sides as the humanitarian disaster in Gaza deepens. Since October 7, almost 40,000 people have died in Gaza, according to Hamas. At least 15,000 of those are Hamas militants, says Israel.
Iran has long been a supporter of Hamas, which is currently engaged in its longest war with Israel since it took over Gaza in a violent coup in 2007.
Tehran has been providing the militant group with financial aid, weaponry, and training, including the supply of advanced rockets, military equipment, and technical expertise to enhance Hamas's capabilities in its conflict with its archenemy.
