Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has voiced strong opposition to calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to swiftly bring an end to the ongoing conflict. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Former US President Donald Trump emphasized his belief that Israel should achieve a decisive victory without delay.
Former US President Donald Trump revealed that during a July meeting with Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence, he encouraged the Israeli leader to expedite the end of the war. “He knows what he’s doing, I did encourage him to get this over with,” Former US President Donald Trump said. “It has to get over with fast. … Get your victory and get it over with. It has to stop, the killing has to stop.”
This statement came amid rising tensions in the Middle East following recent high-profile killings of key figures from Hamas and Hezbollah, which have sparked threats of retaliation against Israel. Former US President Donald Trump criticized the ongoing calls for a ceasefire from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that such demands would only allow Hamas time to regroup and potentially launch further attacks.
Former US President Donald Trump’s comments extended to his criticisms of pro-Palestinian supporters in the US, whom he labeled as “pro-Hamas thugs” and “jihad sympathizers.” He vowed to take strong measures against them, including arrest and deportation, should he be elected president.
In addition, Former US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu both denied an Axios report suggesting that they had recently discussed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. The report claimed that Former US President Donald Trump had encouraged Netanyahu to consider a ceasefire deal, though this was not confirmed by either party.
The Biden administration, alongside regional mediators including Egypt and Qatar, has been working to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza. The latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7 that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and approximately 250 hostages, has led to significant casualties on both sides. Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement in the Gaza Strip, prompting international concerns and allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.
As negotiations for a ceasefire continue, the international community remains divided on the best path forward to address the humanitarian crisis and security concerns in the region.
