Trump says Israel must ‘finish the problem’ in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AA) – Former US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Israel must “finish the problem” in its war on Gaza.

Asked by a Fox News presenter if he is in “Israel’s camp” and whether he is “on board” with the way the Israeli army was “taking the fight to Gaza,” Trump responded: “Yeah. You gotta finish the problem.”

“You’ve had a horrible invasion that took place,” he said. “It would have never happened if I was president, by the way.”

Asked about Vice President Kamala Harris’ call for a cease-fire, the Republican presidential candidate avoided the question.

“I hate seeing what’s happening again. It would have never happened — this attack on Israel — and, likewise, Israel’s counter attack, which is what it is, would never have happened if I was president.”

Harris criticized Israel for not doing enough to allow aid into Gaza and called for an immediate cease-fire.

“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses,” Harris said, “People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act.”

President Joe Biden, who is running for reelection, is under criticism from progressive Democrats and Muslim and Arab Americans over his “unwavering” support for Israel’s war on Gaza, where Israeli attacks have killed close to 30,500 Palestinians.

A group of Arab and Muslim Americans as well as many progressive Democrats have urged voters to vote “uncommitted” in primaries to protest the Biden administration’s Gaza policy, demand a “permanent cease-fire” in the Palestinian enclave, and an end to unconditional US military support to Israel.