President Trump has given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an indirect approval to assert control over the Gaza Strip, suggesting it’s primarily Israel’s decision while the U.S. holds back on criticism.
Trump has pledged to spearhead the distribution of humanitarian aid to those in Gaza, as the region grapples with severe hunger amidst a dire humanitarian crisis.
Despite this, he hasn’t addressed the growing concerns over the escalation of the conflict, as Israel seeks to extend its military reach in Gaza, with international allies expressing discomfort with these plans.
“We’re focused on feeding people right now… beyond that, I really can’t comment. It’s up to Israel,” Trump remarked earlier in the week when queried about Netanyahu’s intentions.
Netanyahu’s recent decision, backed by votes from his security cabinet, has amplified existing divisions within Israeli society and has further alienated the nation from its European, Arab, and Gulf partners.
In response, Germany declared on Friday it would suspend military exports to Israel that may be utilized in Gaza, aligning with a stance taken by France, Canada, and the U.K., who are advocating for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state. This move stands in stark opposition to Israel’s view, particularly following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023.
Highlighting U.K. concerns, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council has been called for Saturday to deliberate on Israel’s Gaza takeover plans.
“We share many common goals here. I think there’s just a bit of disagreement on how to achieve them,” Vice President Vance stated Friday during a meeting with British Foreign Minister David Lamy when asked about the U.S. role in Netanyahu’s strategies.
Netanyahu has expressed discontent with international backlash, stating, “We will not reward Hamas terrorism by letting them win.” He further declared, “We are not going to occupy Gaza; we aim to liberate it from Hamas,” in statements made on X.
He emphasized plans for Gaza to be demilitarized and for a stable civilian government to be put in place—one that does not align with Hamas or other terrorist entities. This, he claimed, would aid in the rescue of hostages and eliminate future threats from Gaza.
A recent Israeli national survey indicated diminishing optimism about the war, revealing that roughly half of both Jewish and Arab respondents believed ongoing military operations wouldn’t lead to the return of hostages.
The Hostage Family Forum, representing families of prisoners in Gaza, criticized the governmental decision to pursue control over the Gaza Strip, interpreting it as a disregard for the hostages and the will of the majority of Israelis.
Reportedly, Israeli military chief Eir Zamir warned Netanyahu about the implications of occupying Gaza, suggesting it could complicate the situation for hostages during a heated meeting earlier in the week. Nevertheless, on Friday, he stated that the army would execute the Cabinet’s plan “to the best of their ability.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid described the Cabinet’s decision as a “total disaster leading to even greater disasters.”
While Washington generally shows strong bipartisan support for Israel, Netanyahu’s management of the war and the resulting humanitarian crisis have stirred public opinion against Israel—and increased dissent from some Democrats, as well as pushing back within the GOP.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has controversially labeled the Israeli war in Gaza as “genocide” against Palestinians, while Rep. Thomas Massey (R-Ky.) has voiced opposition to military aid abroad, including to Israel. On the left, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) gathered support for a resolution aimed at blocking arms sales to Israel last month.
Joe Rogan, a popular podcast host known for his previous support of Trump, has also accused Israel of committing “genocide,” expressing views contrary to his earlier stances regarding complex historical narratives.
Sarah Perkins Aronson, a political science associate professor at Johns Hopkins, noted that anti-Semitism is a factor influencing opposition to Israel, but insisted that it intertwines with broader humanitarian concerns. “Not everyone is synchronized on this issue; different currents are at play,” she remarked.
Still, the majority of Republicans continue to back Trump and Israel.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) represented one of the highest-ranking U.S. officials to visit Israeli settlements in the West Bank recently, echoing sentiments expressed by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who stated that the U.S. doesn’t consider Israeli settlements illegal.
The U.S. position on Israel’s actions regarding Gaza aims to counter increased opposition from Arab nations and rising dissent in Europe regarding Israel’s presence in the West Bank, which complicates the path towards potential Palestinian statehood.
“It’s troubling to hear that Arabs are feeling distressed over this situation,” remarked Millett Mabroke, a senior fellow at the Institute of Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has condemned Netanyahu’s plan to control Gaza, particularly as Trump pursues normalization of ties with Israel.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia vehemently denounces the decision to occupy the Gaza Strip and condemns the ongoing crimes of starvation and brutal tactics against the Palestinian people,” Riyadh stated on Friday.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, who had been collaborating with the U.S. to negotiate a ceasefire, are reportedly working on a new strategy to secure the release of hostages amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Will Toddman, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cautioned against the humanitarian, diplomatic, and strategic repercussions of Israel’s plans. He remarked, “The Israeli government may find itself enveloped in an expensive military occupation of Gaza without a clear exit strategy. They claim they want Arab nations to take over afterward, but there’s little evidence that this is a viable path, or that Arab states are prepared to step in.” He stated in an analysis shared on X.
“Ultimately, I think Israel will push forward with this plan unless there’s a shift in the U.S. stance,” he concluded.
