U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has criticized U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over their calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“From the start, Harris has worked to tie Israel’s hand behind its back, demanding an immediate ceasefire, always demanding ceasefire,” Trump said. He added that a ceasefire “would only give Hamas time to regroup and launch a new October 7-style attack.”
“I will give Israel the support that it needs to win, but I do want them to win fast,” he said.
At a news conference earlier on Thursday, Trump claimed that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – during their meeting last month in Florida – to “get your victory” but the “killing must stop” in Gaza.
“He [Netanyahu] knows what he’s doing. I did encourage him to get this over with,” Trump said at a news conference on Thursday. “It has to get over with fast, but have victory. Get your victory and get it over with.”
Trump met Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida when the Israeli prime minister was in the U.S. to deliver a controversial address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. During the visit, Netanyahu also met with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
