Trump Won't Endorse or Oppose IDF Operation
In a conversation with Axios, President Trump avoided endorsing the Israeli government's decision to move forward with the occupation of Gaza City - while also not opposing it.
President Donald Trump refused to endorse or oppose the cabinet's decision to order the IDF to occupy the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps, according to a report today (Monday) by Axios.
According to a phone conversation between Axios reporter Barak Ravid and President Trump, Trump said that Hamas cannot be allowed to stay in the Gaza Strip "under current circumstances," saying that they should remember October 7. He also said that he does not believe Hamas is interested in a deal at present.
While hesitant, the President's endorsement of Netanyahu's strategic arguments provides vital support for the offensive, just as multiple western countries are openly opposed to the move and calling on Israel to reconsider the effort.
Prime Minister Netanyahu often compares the warnings regarding the potential humanitarian catastrophe of moving on Gaza City to similar warnings made not only by European countries but also then-President Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris, who warned of a disaster and even threatened to withhold vital arms shipments from Israel if the country decided to move in.
In the end, the city's population of hundreds of thousands were evacuated within days and the IDF successfully destroyed Hamas forces there, including the mastermind of October 7 himself, Yahya Sinwar.
The government and the IDF are currently working to prepare operational plans to ensure that the occupation of Gaza City takes place within weeks rather than the planned months the IDF claims it needs, both in order to evacuate the population and to have soldiers and support units rest and refit for such a major undertaking.