Trump says Hamas can't be allowed to stay in Gaza: ‘Remember Oct. 7'
While Trump stopped short of endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to invade and occupy Gaza City, the president agreed that Hamas needed to be exiled from Gaza over the threat the terror group presents to the Jewish state.
'I have one thing to say: remember Oct.7, remember Oct. 7,' Trump told Axios, invoking the infamous 2023 terror attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and saw 250 others kidnapped.
3 President Trump said Hamas cannot remain in Gaza as Israel escalates the war with a looming invasion of Gaza City.
AP
3 Trump said the world cannot forget the horrors of the Oct.7, 2023, massacre, which saw Hamas kill more than 1,200 people in Israel.
AP
Trump confirmed that he spoke with Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss the Jewish state's plan to invade Gaza City, with the US president agreeing that military might remains the best way forward to deal with Hamas.
Trump acknowledged fears that the operation could put the remaining 50 hostages in danger, but noted that it was always going to be 'very rough to get them' out.
Only 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to still be alive, and among the dead are Israeli-Americans Omer Neutra, 22, and Itay Chen, 19.
Despite the danger, Trump said he doesn't believe that Hamas would commit to freeing the captives given the last set of tense cease-fire talks referencing the pause in negotiations between the terror group and Israel.
'[Hamas] are not going to let the hostages out in the current situation,' Trump said.
The president said he would ultimately let Israel proceed as it sees fit and not intervene.
Trump's remarks come following global backlash over Netanyahu's plan to evacuate Gaza City and bring it under military occupation to eliminate Hamas' terror cells operating in the city.
3 Israel bombarded Gaza City on Sunday as it prepares to evacuate the city's refugee population to hunt down Hamas' terror cells.
AFP via Getty Images
The operation fell short of the premier's alleged initial plan to take over the entirety of the Strip, but Israeli military officials still voiced their opposition to the incursion out of fear of the hostages' safety.
Netanyahu defended the plan on Sunday as the only viable tactic to free the city from Hamas and apply the pressure needed to force the terror group back onto the negotiating table.
The prime minister also reiterated his calls for Hamas to completely demilitarize and give up its control on the Gaza Strip, which the terror group has ruled as the de facto governors for nearly 20 years.
Israel has maintained that the war will only end once the goal of eradicating Hamas is complete, with Netanyahu planning to put the Palestinian enclave under the Jewish state's watch until a 'non-Israeli, peaceful civilian administration' can be tapped to take over.
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