Will make sure 'massacre' by Hamas doesn't happen again: Lapid; thanks India

Israel's former prime minister and current leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid on Monday thanked India for its support to the Jewish nation as he asserted that the country "will not be caught by surprise twice" and make sure that the "massacre" by Hamas does not happen again.

In an interview with NDTV news channel, Lapid, when asked how Israel would respond to these attacks by Hamas, said, "The most urgent thing is we deny Hamas these capabilities and make sure they never again have the opportunity to massacre women, children and the elderly. As the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) said, this is going to be difficult and hard, and we would have to be patient."

"There is going to be a military operation, incursion is not out of the question because we have to make sure this does not happen again," he asserted.

He further said, "This is an opportunity for me to thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and his government for the support they have shown to Israel."

Expressing solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack, Prime Minister Modi on Saturday said, "Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour."