Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump this week said there’s no option for Israel but to “finish the problem” in its ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas.
Trump’s comments came during an appearance on the Fox & Friends program, just ahead of voting for Super Tuesday. They also come as leaders around the world are increasingly calling for a ceasefire in the war, which is just about to reach its five month.
Brian Kilmeade, the co-host of the Fox show, asked Trump if he was “on board” with how Israel was handling its war in Gaza. He replied:
“You’ve got to finish the problem. You had a horrible invasion. It took place. It would have never happened if I was president, by the way.
“This would have never happened. And for another reason — they wouldn’t have done it to me. I guarantee you that. They did this because they have no respect for [President Joe] Biden and, frankly, they got soft.”
Vice President Kamala Harris recently called for an “immediate” ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would last six weeks at least. Though Trump said he hates “seeing what’s happening” in the conflict right now, he avoided commenting directly on what Harris said, instead only mentioning that the conflict never would’ve happened had he been in the White House.
It’s a stance that Trump has taken multiple times when asked about the October 7 attacks by Hamas that left 1,200 people dead and resulted in hundreds more being taken captive. Israel responded by launching an all-out assault on Hamas in Gaza, saying that they will not stop their campaign until the terrorist organization is completely eradicated.
For his part, Trump has focused his responses on supporting Israel in a steadfast way, just as he did for much of his term in the White House. He suggested recently while talking to Univision that fighting in the war would simply need to play out.
The Biden administration has reiterated many times that Israel definitely has a right to defend itself against brutal attacks like the one Hamas brought on them. White House officials have even said recently that the onus for a ceasefire happening is on Hamas, as they need to accept the terms that have been set for a break in the fighting that would last for six weeks.
In that time period, it’s been proposed that hostages would be released and aid would make its way into Gaza, though Hamas hasn’t accepted the terms as of yet.
But, Israel has started to take its fair share of criticism lately for its ongoing bombardment in Gaza. That reached its height last week when more than 100 Palestinians died when Israeli troops opened fire at a food distribution site in the district.
While talking in Alabama on Sunday, Harris said:
“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. They must open new border crossings. They must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid.
“They must ensure humanitarian personnel, sites and convoys are not targeted. And they must work to restore basic services and promote order in Gaza so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need.”
