Trump Says He Encouraged Netanyahu To End Gaza War While Critizing Kamala Harris For Demanding Ceasefire: 'I Will Give Israel The Support That It Needs To Win But…'

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to swiftly end the ongoing war in Gaza. This appeal was made during a press conference on Thursday.

What Happened: Trump referred to his late July meeting with Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence, stating, “He knows what he’s doing, I did encourage him to get this over with. It has to stop, the killing has to stop.”

He also criticized the repeated ceasefire calls from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, arguing that it would only give Hamas a chance to regroup, Reuters reported. However, he added that he would support Israel in its bid to win the war.

“I will give Israel the support that it needs to win but I do want them to win fast,” said Trump, according to the report.

The Middle East is currently experiencing heightened tensions following the recent assassinations of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, both of which have elicited threats of retaliation against Israel.

Trump’s comments come at a time when ceasefire negotiations involving Egypt, the United States, and Qatar are ongoing. Washington, a key ally of Israel, believes a ceasefire in Gaza would lessen the risk of a broader war.

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Why It Matters: Netanyahu has been accused of preventing a ceasefire to appease far-right lawmakers whose Parliamentary support depends on the continuation of the war. This has led to a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Earlier in May, Trump had expressed strong support for Israel and vowed to crush campus protests in a private donor meeting. In July, however, he issued a grim warning to Netanyahu, predicting a significant conflict in the Middle East, potentially escalating into a “third world war,” if he did not win the upcoming November election.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari