'Do what you have to do,' Trump tells Netanyahu after +42,000 killed

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Washington Post
26 Oct 2024 20:05

US Senator Lindsey Graham noted Trump's admiration for "Israel’s" attacks in Lebanon.

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In this March 25, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump welcomes visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in Washington. (AP)

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed support for "Israel's" war on Gaza and Lebanon in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing six sources familiar with the conversation.

In the call, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, "Do what you have to do," reflecting his approval of "Israel's" military strategy — which has so far led to the killing of thousands of civilians and displaced millions.

US Senator Lindsey Graham, who was also on the call this month, noted Trump's admiration for "Israel’s" attacks in Lebanon.

"He didn't tell him what to do militarily, but he expressed that he was impressed by the pagers," Senator Graham said, referring to "Israel's" pagers attack that killed dozens and injured thousands across Lebanon in September.

"He expressed his awe for their military operations and what they have done," he added.

Graham, a staunch Trump supporter, has garnered a notorious reputation due to a series of controversial statements that have ignited significant international backlash.

In December of last year, Graham called, during an interview with Fox News, for a strike on Iran and to "blow it off the map," and in May 2024, he told the Israeli leadership to treat Gaza like Hiroshima.

Day 386 of Israeli genocide in Gaza

This comes as the Israeli occupation continues its onslaught and massacres in the Gaza Strip, intensifying its aggression specifically in the northern part of the territory, and committing atrocities that necessitate urgent intervention to save civilians.

In 48 hours only, Israeli occupation forces committed seven massacres against civilians, women, children, and the elderly, killing 77 Palestinians and injuring 289 more, Gaza'a Health Ministry revealed in its daily report.

It is worth noting that this count excludes northern Gaza, where Israeli-imposed blockades have obstructed access to hospitals, according to the Ministry.

This brings the total number of Palestinians killed in the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7 to 42,924, in addition to 100,833 injuries, the Ministry added.

While some victims were able to be transported to the very few functioning hospitals in the Strip, countless others are trapped under the rubble, as civil defense crews cannot reach them due to Israeli bombardments and deliberate attacks.

In Lebanon, the death toll of the Israeli aggression on the country has risen to 2,653 martyrs, with 12,360 people injured since October 8, 2023, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.