President Trump backed Israel’s expansion of the war in Gaza, saying the remaining 50 hostages can only be freed if Hamas is completely eradicated.
“We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday. “The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be.”
The president’s remarks suggest he approves of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to invade Gaza City to clear out Hamas’ terrorists and pressure the group into agreeing to a cease-fire deal.
President Trump said Hamas must be eradicated in order to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images
Smoke billows over Khan Younis following an Israeli airstrike on Monday. ZUMAPRESS.comTrump also suggested the US could be directly involved in the conflict beyond serving as mediators at the negotiating table.
“Remember, I was the one who negotiated and got hundreds of hostages freed and released into Israel (and America!),” the president claimed.
“I was the one who ended 6 wars, in just 6 months. I was the one who OBLITERATED Iran’s Nuclear facilities,” he added. “Play to WIN, or don’t play at all!”
Israeli officials greenlit a plan last week for the Israel Defense Forces to fully occupy Gaza City, where Hamas is believed to be housing some of its remaining battalions among the refugee population.
Thirty-nine hostages were freed under Trump, with the president vowing to free the remaining 50, only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. Anadolu via Getty ImagesThe plan has been criticized by the international community and the IDF’s own chief of staff, who warned that an escalation in the war would only put the remaining hostages and troops in danger.
Netanyahu, however, has maintained that military might is the only way to secure the 50 hostages — only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
Israeli-American hostages Itay Chen, 19, and Omer Neutra, 22, are among the dead still in the Palestinian enclave.
A nationwide strike began in Israel on Sunday as thousands took to the streets to demand an end to the war. Getty ImagesAs Israel prepares to occupy Gaza City, mediators in Egypt and Qatar are working around the clock to try to secure a cease-fire deal to end the war, which has gone on for more than 21 months following the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to cede control of the Gaza Strip, but has repeatedly rejected calls for the group to disarm unless Palestinians are granted statehood.
Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the condition, with Israel vowing to keep the war going until Hamas is eradicated and Gaza no longer stands as a threat to the Jewish state.
