Former US President Donald Trump has conveyed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his desire for Israel to conclude the Gaza conflict before he potentially reassumes office post-election, sources disclosed to The Times of Israel.
During a gathering at Florida's Mar-a-Lago resort in July, Trump communicated this request, insights from a former Trump administration member and an Israeli official confirm. Although Trump has openly expressed his wish for Israel to swiftly triumph in the war, it was previously unreported that he attached a specific timeline to his request.
Trump did not detail his expectations but allowed for the possibility of limited Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in Gaza, provided Jerusalem formally declares the war over. Netanyahu consistently emphasizes Israel's need for sustained control over Gaza post-conflict. Israeli officials also mention plans for maintaining a buffer zone within Gaza while permitting re-entry into Hamas-occupied regions as necessary.
However, Netanyahu revealed on Monday that reaching the end phase of the conflict remains elusive. In a leaked recording from a Likud party meeting, he mentioned his inability to comply with Hamas's demands for ending the war in exchange for 101 hostages. Recently, Trump criticized US President Joe Biden's attempt to limit Israel’s retaliatory measures following Iran’s missile attack on October 1. A former US official added that Trump’s vision for a pre-inauguration victory includes securing the hostages' release.
Warnings from Trump about severe consequences for those holding American hostages were echoed at the Republican National Convention in July. Requests for comments from both the Trump campaign and Netanyahu's office went unanswered.
Following their conversation in July at Mar-a-Lago, Trump and Netanyahu have maintained contact, with Trump sharing last week that they had spoken two consecutive days recently. Senior Israeli officials have expressed concerns about Trump's persistent desire for a swift resolution to the Gaza conflict. They fear complications should Trump win the upcoming election and take office in January due to potential clashes stemming from these pressures.
One security official pointed out political constraints within Israel hindering swift conflict resolution without elaborating further but hinted at opposition within Netanyahu’s coalition against ceasefire conditions proposed by Hamas.
Another challenge involves resistance within Netanyahu’s government against involving the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza post-conflict. An opposition lawmaker speculated that prolonging the conflict until after January 20 could strain relations with Vice President Kamala Harris should she emerge victorious in November's election.
Even though Netanyahu hasn't had problems with Democratic presidents in the past—in fact, those problems often helped his campaign—dealing with Trump's criticism is a completely new challenge that may put him in tough spots because he relies on far-right cabinet members like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
During a gathering at Florida's Mar-a-Lago resort in July, Trump communicated this request, insights from a former Trump administration member and an Israeli official confirm. Although Trump has openly expressed his wish for Israel to swiftly triumph in the war, it was previously unreported that he attached a specific timeline to his request.
Trump did not detail his expectations but allowed for the possibility of limited Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations in Gaza, provided Jerusalem formally declares the war over. Netanyahu consistently emphasizes Israel's need for sustained control over Gaza post-conflict. Israeli officials also mention plans for maintaining a buffer zone within Gaza while permitting re-entry into Hamas-occupied regions as necessary.
However, Netanyahu revealed on Monday that reaching the end phase of the conflict remains elusive. In a leaked recording from a Likud party meeting, he mentioned his inability to comply with Hamas's demands for ending the war in exchange for 101 hostages. Recently, Trump criticized US President Joe Biden's attempt to limit Israel’s retaliatory measures following Iran’s missile attack on October 1. A former US official added that Trump’s vision for a pre-inauguration victory includes securing the hostages' release.
Warnings from Trump about severe consequences for those holding American hostages were echoed at the Republican National Convention in July. Requests for comments from both the Trump campaign and Netanyahu's office went unanswered.
Following their conversation in July at Mar-a-Lago, Trump and Netanyahu have maintained contact, with Trump sharing last week that they had spoken two consecutive days recently. Senior Israeli officials have expressed concerns about Trump's persistent desire for a swift resolution to the Gaza conflict. They fear complications should Trump win the upcoming election and take office in January due to potential clashes stemming from these pressures.
One security official pointed out political constraints within Israel hindering swift conflict resolution without elaborating further but hinted at opposition within Netanyahu’s coalition against ceasefire conditions proposed by Hamas.
Another challenge involves resistance within Netanyahu’s government against involving the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza post-conflict. An opposition lawmaker speculated that prolonging the conflict until after January 20 could strain relations with Vice President Kamala Harris should she emerge victorious in November's election.
Even though Netanyahu hasn't had problems with Democratic presidents in the past—in fact, those problems often helped his campaign—dealing with Trump's criticism is a completely new challenge that may put him in tough spots because he relies on far-right cabinet members like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
