Trump, Netanyahu discuss Israel’s Gaza takeover plan

US President Donald Trump spoke on August 10 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel faces mounting international criticism over its plan to expand military control of the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu’s office said in a social media post that the leaders “discussed Israel’s plans for taking control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza in order to bring about the end of the war, the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hama,” Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

It added that Netanyahu “thanked President Trump for his steadfast support of Israel since the start of the war.”

The call came as Netanyahu defended Israel’s plan to increase its military presence in Gaza, with the stated aim of eliminating remaining Hamas strongholds in the Palestinian territory.

Trump has given a tacit endorsement of the move, even as other US and Israeli allies have withheld military aid and condemned the government over the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza.

“I know that we are there now trying to get people fed. … As far as the rest of it, I really can’t say. That’s going to be pretty much up to Israel,” Trump said earlier this week when asked about Netanyahu’s plan.

Speaking at a press conference on August 10, Netanyahu accused critics and media outlets of spreading “fake” stories about starving children, comparing the claims to historical falsehoods used to justify mass killings of Jews.

By Sabina Mammadli