Trump’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack: Israel’s standing with the Palestinians
A deputy national security adviser to Trump during his first term said that it would be difficult for him to satisfy the Saudi demand.
Netanyahu and Trump wish to establish Saudi-Israeli relations, but Riyadh is demanding a pathway to a Palestinian state. That’s a prospect Netanyahu’s allies and most of the Israeli parliament oppose even more fervently after the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the Gaza war. They think that a Palestinian state is a security threat to Israel and should be paid back by the Palestinians after the attack.
Trump’s comments follow repeated statements that neighboring countries should agree to take in Gazans because of the destruction there caused by the Israel-Hamas war. Egypt and Jordan have been named by Trump, which has rejected the plan. Trump insists they’ll eventually agree to it.
Siegel was freed by Hamas and family and friends cheered. But many at the gathering at Siegel’s extended relatives’ home in a kibbutz in central Israel expressed nervousness about the war resuming before all the hostages were freed. Rabbi Steve Burnstein believes U.S. pressure can make a difference.
He wants the Americans to do everything they can to make sure that the Israeli government has the strength to reach the second stage of the deal.
That same evening, a few thousand Tel Aviv residents showed up at one of the weekly rallies celebrating the return of three Israeli hostages and demanding the government work toward returning all the remaining hostages still held by Hamas, many of whom are believed dead.
The Israeli-Israel War and the Middle East: Netanyahu, Trump, and Saudi-Arabi Relations During the Oct. 7 Era
“I believe that Trump will push Netanyahu to seal another deal if he is given the opportunity,” said Shelly, who only gave her first name.
Netanyahu smiled and praised Trump’s work for Israel when he spoke. And, regarding Gaza, Netanyahu said Trump has an idea that is worth paying attention to.
Another central question to resolve: whether Israel will launch a military strike on a weakened Iran, shorn after a year of intense fighting against its proxies.
Netanyahu is the first foreign leader to meet with Trump since he was inaugurated last month, a point that Trump described as an “unbreakable” bond between them.
Negotiations have begun for a second phase of the cease-fire to end the war with Hamas and allow the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Also on the table is a bargain that could reshape the Middle East for decades to come: a deal to open Israel’s diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
“Israel does not go to election if the war continues,” Talshir says. There is no public probe of what happened on Oct. 7. Netanyahu is still in power.
Talshir, who’s writing a forthcoming book about the Netanyahu era of Israel, believes that given Netanyahu’s interest in retaining his coalition and staying in office, the prime minister might have an interest in returning to war.
The recent release of hostages has seen several masked Hamas fighters parade Israelis on makeshift stages before freeing them.
Israeli defense analysts think that if Hamas continues to hold captives and Israel does not endorse a viable alternative leadership, the war will continue until Hamas is destroyed.
The Israeli leader’s allies, however, have threatened to bring down the government if Israel goes down that path — and does not resume the war in Gaza and eliminate Hamas rule there.
Gayil Talshir is a professor of politics at Hebrew University, and he says that the Tuesday meeting is important to Netanyahu’s survival as the leader of Israel. Netanyahu wants what Trump gives him, but the coalition he heads has a different vision.
Mr. Trump may think the storm gave him leverage after he put out the idea. He might assume that the Arab leaders will give him something if he drops it. The idea has a potentially beneficial domestic political angle for Mr. Netanyahu. His coalition government depends on and for whom continuing the expulsion and flight of Palestinians around Israel seems to be an ideological goal, it holds strong appeal to the right-wing allies. These potential benefits will neither last long nor get them very far.
The traumatic resonance of displacement and population transfer incollective Palestinian memory is hard to exaggerate. This history helps explain the Palestinian determination to remain in the newly devastated territory and the widespread outcry to this relocation proposal and its long-term radicalizing potential.
“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site,” Trump said as Netanyahu looked on. “Level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out, create an economic development.”
Trump did not share details how he anticipated the U.S. would take control of the strip, but during the press conference, also didn’t rule out sending U.S. troops to support the reconstruction.
Trump officials say the administration is focused on making sure that Phase 1 is completed and that all of the hostages are returned home, including the deceased. The second phase of the war would end with Hamas and return the Israeli hostages in Gaza.
It’s difficult to rebuild the area in five years because of the ceasefire deal, said Trump’s envoy. A 10- to 15-year timeline would be more likely, he said, because of the damage to Gaza during the war.
“You have to learn from history. You can’t let history repeat itself. We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal,” Trump said.
On Tuesday, Trump issued two orders regarding the Middle East. One puts “maximum” pressure on Iran. Trump said he was “torn” about signing it.
“I’m signing this and I’m unhappy to do it but I have not so much choice because we have to be strong and firm,” Trump said, and added that he hopes he doesn’t have to use it.
“To me, it’s very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. He said the U.S. has the right to block the sale of Iranian oil to other countries.
Second Order Decrement of the United Nations Human Rights Council and Cutoff of its Aid to Relief Works Agency in the Light of a United Nations Protocol
The other order pulled the U.S. out of the United Nations Human Rights Council and cut off aid to the United Nations Relief Works Agency, which is the main group providing aid to Palestinians.