Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 07:49 pm
Washington: Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday he told Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their meeting last month that he should move quickly to resolve the conflict in Gaza. But Trump also took issue with growing demands for a ceasefire.
Trump Tells Netanyahu: “Get It Over With Fast”
He relayed his conversation with Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence in late July to a news conference: “I did tell him, ‘You have to get this over with’. It has to get over with fast. Get your victory and get it over with. The killing has to stop.”
His July visit to the U.S. also included meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s comments come amid high tensions in the Middle East, with specific incidents in the last week including the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was in Iran, and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, which have threatened retaliation at the state of Israel.
Trump Condemns Ceasefire Demands, Criticizes Biden and Harris
At a later event in the day, on fighting antisemitism, Trump railed on the Biden administration for its calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. He suggested it would allow Hamas time to “regroup” and carry out more attacks, similar to the October 7 assault.
Trump again vowed to stand behind Israel, saying, “I will give Israel the support that it needs to win, but I do want them to win fast.”
Harsh Words from Trump for Pro-Palestinian Supporters
Speaking at the same event, Trump also labeled pro-Palestinian activists calling for the end of U.S. aid to Israel as “pro-Hamas thugs” and “jihad sympathizers.” Continuing, he promised that if elected president, he will imprison these individuals and send them out of the country.
Explanations on Communication Between Trump and Netanyahu
Trump and Netanyahu’s offices denied an Axios report Thursday evening stating that the two leaders discussed the ceasefire and hostage release talks on Wednesday. Citing US sources, the report claimed that the call was a way to prod Netanyahu into accepting a ceasefire-for-hostages arrangement. Still, neither side verified that in the notifications .
Ceasefire Negotiations Persist
According to Arab sources, Egypt, the US, and Qatar are expected this week to begin a new round of truce negotiations amid the push by Washington for a ceasefire as one way to minimize the risk of a wider Middle East war. The current escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7, with the attack by Hamas against Israel, in which 1,200 people died and about 250 hostages were taken.
It was followed by the military attack of Israel on Gaza, which so far has taken away the lives of more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. About 2.3 million people were displaced, renewing the humanitarian crisis and accusations of genocide leveled against Israel-which it vehemently denied.
