Pledging to “protect Israel” if re-elected in November, former US President Donald Trump has rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the closest American ally’s handling of the Gaza war, which has led to the killing of over 30,000 Palestinians.
In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said Netanyahu has rightfully been criticised for failing to prevent the Hamas attack. The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the unprecedented Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which members of the Palestinian outfit killed around 1,200 people and abducted around 250 hostages. Around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others are believed to be held in Gaza.
“They have the most sophisticated equipment,” Trump said of Israel, known for its advance military technology. “They had everything was there to stop that. And a lot of people knew about it, you know, thousands and thousands of people knew about it, but Israel didn’t know about it, and I think he’s being blamed for that very strongly, being blamed.” On the issue of Gaza hostages, Trump said “You have very few hostages left.”
“I don’t believe these people are able or even wanting to take care of people as negotiations,” he said. “I think the hostages are going to be far fewer than people think, which is a very sad thing.” Trump also said that Israel has done public relations “very badly.” “I don’t think that the Israel Defence (Forces) or any other group should be sending out pictures every night of buildings falling down and being bombed with possibly people in those buildings every single night, which is what they do,” said the 77-year-old GOP leader.
Trump said that the Israeli public supports him overwhelmingly. “There’s been no president that’s done what I’ve done in Israel,” he claimed. “And it’s interesting. The people of Israel appreciate it. I have like a 98%—I have the highest approval numbers.” “I have been very loyal to Israel, more loyal than any other president,” he said. “I’ve done more for Israel than any other president. Yeah, I will protect Israel.”
Israel’s nearly seven-month war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The conflict has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people from their homes, and caused vast destruction in several towns and cities. Earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu vowed to launch an offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza despite calls for restraint. He said Israel will destroy Hamas’ battalions there “with or without a deal” on a cease-fire.
(With agency inputs)
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