Ahead Of The Meeting With Netanyahu, Trump Urges The End Of The Gaza War And The Release Of The Hostages

Donald Trump/PHOTO via Instagram @realdonaldtrump

JAKARTA - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, the day before meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called for an end to the war with Hamas and the return of the hostages.

The former US president in an interview with Fox News quoted by Reuters on Thursday, July 25, also criticized those protesting the Israeli prime minister's speech before the US Congress.

In addition, Trump called for a one-year prison sentence for tarnishing the US flag.

In a speech at the US Congress, Netanyahu said his government was actively involved in seeking the release of the remaining hostages and was confident it would succeed.

Hamas militants took more than 250 people hostage in a morning attack on southern Israel and killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel retaliated by vowing to eradicate Hamas in Gaza in a nine-month war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials said.

Several people were injured in eastern cities as a result of Israeli tank and airstrikes, while airstrikes east of Khan Younis killed four people, Palestinian health officials said.

Hamas described Netanyahu's comments as a pure lie that accused him of thwarting attempts to end the war.

Netanyahu's comments also let many Palestinian refugees hope for a clearer signal about the end of the fighting, which has left the overcrowded territory wasted and created a humanitarian crisis.

"It's sad, he didn't even mention a ceasefire at all, not at all," said Tamer Al-Burai, a resident of Gaza City, who is now taking refuge in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

"People are waiting for a surprise, Netanyahu's announcement of a ceasefire as a gift to (US President) Joe Biden, but they are asleep with a lot of disappointment, as Netanyahu says he is determined to continue the war," Burai told Reuters via chat app.

Deir Al-Balah, who has not been attacked by tanks, is currently filled with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, who have fled from other areas of the enclave, which is home to 2.3 million people.

Netanyahu talks in a drama, he talks toipers, "said Burai.

The diplomatic efforts made by Arab mediators, backed by the United States, to reach a ceasefire agreement, appear to have stalled, as Israel is expected to send delegates for further talks next week.