US President Donald Trump has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a ‘war hero’ while facing global backlash over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This statement was made during an interview with conservative commentator Mark Levin on Tuesday. Trump described Netanyahu as a ‘good man’ who is ‘there fighting’ and emphasized his role in the conflict. The remarks were accompanied by Trump’s assertion that he sent planes to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, a reference to American strikes in June. In the same interview, Trump took credit for past hostage releases in the Israeli-Hamas conflict, mentioning the numerous letters received from affected families.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s government has advanced with plans for a new military push to occupy Gaza City, which has already experienced unprecedented destruction in the hostilities that followed the surprise Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. This military plan has sparked nationwide demonstrations, with tens of thousands taking to the streets across Israel. Throughout the conflict, Netanyahu has also come under public scrutiny for what has been seen as a reluctance to prioritize the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Internationally, Netanyahu has faced severe criticism over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as accusations of blocking humanitarian aid. UN agencies have warned that hunger in Gaza has reached extreme levels and urged Israel to restore access for relief groups to prevent starvation. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 266 people, including 122 children, have died of starvation in the enclave. In July, 30 nations, including EU members, warned that the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths, condemning the ‘drip feeding of aid’ and the ‘inhumane killing of civilians seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.’