Trump tells Israel to finish the Hamas war fast, but there’s twist
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump urged Israel to bring its war with Hamas to a swift close, though he effectively voiced support for the IDF’s military operation in the enclave, reports Bloomberg.
“Right now they’re talking about Gaza City — there’s always talking about something. At some point it’s going to get settled, and I’m saying you better get it settled soon. You have to get it settled soon,” Trump said in an Oval Office meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
The president added that the war has to end, because of the hunger and all the other problems — worse than hunger — death, pure death, people are being killed.
Trump also noted there is very serious diplomatic pressure to bring the war to an end, though he did not specify what that pressure entailed.
Bloomberg suggested the former president was likely referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to expand the ground offensive into Gaza City. Israeli forces had previously avoided the area over fears for the fate of hostages believed to be held there.
At the same time, Trump offered no comment on what further steps the United States might take should the operation drag on.
“I think within the next two to three weeks you’re going to have a pretty good, conclusive — a conclusive ending,” Trump said.
Operation to seize Gaza
On August 21, Israel’s military chief of staff announced the expansion of operations aimed at taking full control of the Gaza Strip and dismantling Hamas entirely. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the military plan to capture Gaza.
In the days that followed, Israeli forces intensified their campaign in the enclave, pushing into the outskirts of Gaza City.
Last week, for the first time since the war between Israel and Hamas began, the United Nations declared famine in the Gaza Strip. The announcement sparked fresh international calls to halt the fighting and accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Israel rejected the findings, with Netanyahu’s office dismissing the UN report as a blatant lie.
Trump has largely avoided commenting on the UN’s assessment. At the same time, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee wrote on X that aid entering Gaza had been stolen by Hamas.
