Israel Urges India to Designate Hamas as Terrorist Group Due to Growing LeT Connections and Regional Security Concerns

Israel has called upon India to officially designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, highlighting the growing operational connections between Hamas and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Israeli officials warn that these ties, along with Iranian proxy networks, present significant security challenges to both nations.

During a press briefing in Jerusalem, a high-ranking Israeli foreign ministry official stated, "Our request is that India must work hard to sanction and designate organisations such as Hamas as terrorist groups. Israel designated Lashkar-e-Taiba a few years ago. We would like to see a reciprocation of that from India." Israel formally classified LeT as a terrorist group in 2023, shortly after the October 7 attack.

This appeal follows earlier statements from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, IDF's International Spokesperson, previously emphasized that "It will be a good thing if India designated Hamas as a terror group. India and Israel have a common enemy. It will be good to have a clear statement on who we face."

"It's not just about freezing assets or banning operatives from entering India. It signals that New Delhi clearly sees what Hamas is doing, and no operative should step on Indian soil," he added.

Israeli officials noted that the Indian government recognizes the "growing links between Iranian and international terror proxy groups" and emphasized how India's decision could influence policies across neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Maldives, and Nepal.

The senior official highlighted expanding operational connections between Hamas and LeT, while warning about Iran's utilization of global criminal networks for proxy attacks. "We are seeing significant links between Hamas and the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Hamas and Hezbollah are using international criminal proxies to operate terror attacks. We won't see an Iranian operative act in Europe. We are instead going to see an international proxy linked to an Iranian operative carry out attacks, as we've seen in London."

Israel also requested that India cease its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the primary relief organization in Gaza. New Delhi has allocated $5 million to this UN body for 2024-2025. Israeli authorities claim UNRWA has been compromised by Hamas, alleging "widespread and systematic" misuse of its facilities by terrorists.

However, another senior Israeli official acknowledged Israel's understanding of India's policy of maintaining balanced relations in West Asia.

Despite the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June and American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Israeli officials warned that Tehran hasn't altered its regional strategy regarding terrorist proxies. "We believed Iran's policy would shift after the 12-Day war. However, we now understand that there has been no shift and instead Tehran is doubling down and investing more into proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, etc," the official explained.

The official further stressed that Washington's current pressure campaign against Tehran is insufficient: "Washington's maximum pressure campaign against Iran has to be much stronger than it is now. Just declaring sanctions or designations is a start, but it is not enough. We saw the previous Trump administration strongly enforce this, but we aren't seeing that yet this time."

While clarifying that Israel doesn't seek regime change in Iran, the official added, "However, if regime change does take place due to economic reasons or otherwise, I don't think it would be a bad thing."

Israeli officials expressed concerns about Iran's expanding influence in Africa. "One of Israel's biggest concerns now is the spilling of Iranian influence into the Horn of Africa. We are seeing more and more Iranian influence in countries facing instability, especially in Sudan," the senior official stated.

According to Israel's foreign ministry, Tehran views Sudan both as a potential part of its 'Axis of Resistance' and as a base for Hamas operations. "We're already seeing the transfer of weapons in the region through militia groups," the official reported.

Sudan and Iran reestablished diplomatic relations in 2024 amid Sudan's ongoing civil war. Reports indicate that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been providing munitions, drones, and intelligence to Sudanese Armed Forces. Sudan's strategic Red Sea position is valuable to Tehran for extending its regional influence, particularly as Houthi operations decline due to US and Israeli military actions.