Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, emphasized the need for Israel to take decisive action in its conflict with Hamas, according to a report by NBC News.
In his most assertive stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict since the October 7 attacks, Trump stated, “You’ve got to finish the problem. You had a horrible invasion that took place that would have never happened if I was president.”
The former president, aged 77, made these remarks during a segment on Fox News where he was questioned about his stance on a potential cease-fire in Gaza.
While addressing the cease-fire query, Trump avoided giving a direct position on Israel’s military efforts, which have resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Despite not articulating his stance on the strategies of the US or Israel during the five-month war, Trump has recently shifted his election campaign focus towards an anti-war stance.
Although Trump’s latest comments on Israel’s actions have been his strongest to date, he has not put forward specific proposals regarding US financial involvement, hostage negotiations, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, or the potential for a one- or two-state solution.
Additionally, Trump’s campaign has highlighted his pro-Israel record while criticizing President Biden for the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s national press secretary, stated, “President Trump did more for Israel than any American President in history, and he took historic action in the Middle East that created unprecedented peace.”
She added, “When President Trump is back in the Oval Office, Israel will once again be protected, Iran will go back to being broke, terrorists will be hunted down, and the bloodshed will end.”
Following the Hamas attack last October, Trump announced that a future administration would fully support Israel in defeating, dismantling, and permanently destroying the terrorist group Hamas.
In addition, his campaign indicated that if re-elected, he would impose an expanded travel ban, including barring residents of Gaza from entering the US.
Over the past four months, Trump’s public expressions of support for Israel have diminished, while Biden has faced criticism from left-wing and Muslim-American voters for his backing of Israel’s response to the October 7 attack.
Despite increased criticism of Israel by the Biden administration, military aid has not been suspended, and efforts are being made to negotiate a six-week cease-fire agreement, which includes securing the release of hostages
