NEW DELHI – In a geopolitical landscape already fraught with tension, a stunning public rebuke has emerged from an unlikely source. Donald Trump, the former US President and arguably Israel’s most vociferous supporter during his term, has bluntly told Israel to “finish up” its war in Gaza and “get back to the world of peace.” Yet, as his words reverberated across news channels, the skies over Gaza remained alight with explosions. The grim calculus of war, it seems, is overriding even the advice of a powerful friend.
What Did Donald Trump Tell Israel?
The former president’s comments, made in an interview with Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, were characteristically direct. He warned that Israel is “losing a lot of support” globally due to the optics of its military campaign and urged them to conclude operations swiftly.
“You have to finish up your war,” Trump stated. “You have to get it done. Get back to normalcy.” For many observers, this was a significant pivot from the man who moved the US embassy to Jerusalem and brokered the Abraham Accords. His message was a clear signal that the political clock is ticking, sensing a shift in global sentiment that could eventually isolate Israel.
Israel’s Response: Bombardment Continues
Despite Donald Trump telling Israel to stop, the evidence on the ground suggests his words have had little immediate impact. In the hours following his remarks, reports from the Gaza Strip painted a familiar, tragic picture. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have continued their intense bombardment, with a particular focus on the southern city of Khan Younis and surrounding areas.
This stark disconnect highlights a fundamental truth of the current conflict: Israel’s war cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appears determined to prosecute this war on its own terms. The IDF maintains that its operations are precisely targeted at dismantling Hamas infrastructure to prevent a repeat of the October 7th attacks—a goal they deem non-negotiable for Israel’s security.
A Growing Rift and Mounting Pressure
The pressure on Israel is no longer just coming from traditional critics in Europe or the United Nations, but now from a leading figure in the Republican party who could very well be back in the White House next year. This development is a fascinating case study in international relations and the limits of influence. It demonstrates that even the strongest of alliances can be strained when a nation’s core security objectives are on the line.
Meanwhile, the human cost of the continued military campaign is staggering. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports a death toll that has tragically surpassed 32,000. With the majority of Gaza‘s 2.3 million residents displaced and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding, especially around the southern city of Rafah, calls for a ceasefire are growing louder by the day.
The result is a dangerous impasse. While a powerful political ally urges caution, the bombs in Gaza continue to fall. For the Israeli leadership, the military clock is the only one that matters right now, even as the world watches on, hoping for a breakthrough that prioritises peace.
