Netanyahu Talks Iran's Axis of Terror, Trump’s Vision for Gaza in Recent Interview

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Newsmax with Greta Van Susteren on Friday, where he addressed critical security issues, including the dismantling of Iran's axis of terror in the Middle East and U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial vision for Gaza.

Netanyahu emphasized that the Iran-led "axis of terror" in the Middle East has been significantly weakened. “We smashed it a lot,” Netanyahu claimed, highlighting Israel's ongoing efforts to dismantle Iran’s influence. He expressed optimism that this shift provides Israel with an opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

However, Netanyahu made it clear that achieving peace requires first “winning the war,” as he outlined Israel’s strategy of dismantling the Hamas axis to create a different Middle East that opens up possibilities for peace.

Trump’s Plan for Gaza: A New Approach

Netanyahu also discussed Trump’s vision for Gaza, which he described as “fresh thinking.” This plan envisions the U.S. taking control of the Gaza Strip and relocating its residents to ensure stability and long-term peace. Netanyahu agreed that as long as Hamas remains in power in Gaza, the region will continue to experience cycles of terrorism and violence.

“The first thing is, you know, give the people a possibility of leaving,” Netanyahu said, referring to Gaza’s historical isolation. He noted that Gaza was closed by Egypt, not Israel, and suggested that residents should have the freedom to leave, without forcefully evicting them.

Criticism of Trump's Plan

Trump's proposal for Gaza, announced after a meeting between the two leaders at the White House, has caused shock and confusion globally. While some Israeli officials have voiced support, the plan has been widely condemned by international leaders. Netanyahu, however, dismissed misconceptions about the plan, including the idea that the U.S. would need to deploy troops to defeat Hamas.

“Give me a break. I mean, we're doing the job. We're doing the heavy lifting. We don't need any American troops,” Netanyahu asserted, clarifying that Trump's plan did not involve American troops or using U.S. taxpayer money to develop Gaza.

While controversial, Netanyahu’s endorsement of Trump’s plan suggests a pragmatic approach to a long-standing issue. Both leaders agree that tackling Hamas’ control over Gaza is crucial to ensuring the region’s future stability and peace.