Hamas drone drops explosive device on IDF surveillance camera on Gaza border at start of Gaza war / Social media footage under section 27A of the Copyright Law
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he and Israeli intelligence had failed and were not prepared for a surprise Hamas attack. "Netanyahu and Israel were not prepared — thousands of people knew about this attack and let it slip away," he said at a campaign rally in Florida. However, the former president, who often portrays himself as a staunch ally of Israel, vowed to fully support the country in its war against Hamas.
The former president continued to attack Netanyahu for not assisting in the operation to assassinate Qassem Soleimani in 2020. "I will never forget that Bibi Netanyahu disappointed us – it was terrible," he said. "He tried to take credit for it, but we did the job ourselves."
Donald Trump sits at the UN during the start of his civil fraud trial in New York, USA, October 2, 2023/Reuters
Trump also blamed US President Joe Biden for the deadly war and linked the 2020 election conspiracy theory to a surprise Hamas attack. "No one would have thought of invading Israel if the election hadn't been stolen," he said. He continued to sting Biden, claiming that he was also responsible for the clashes that erupted on Israel's northern border with Hezbollah, which he called "a very smart terrorist organization."
The former president made it clear that Netanyahu's Israel was not prepared for the surprise Hamas attack that erupted last Saturday, when hundreds of armed terrorists entered the country's borders, killing at least 1,200 people. "Netanyahu was hit very hard by the attack," he said. "Under Trump, nothing like this would have happened. The intelligence and things that have gone badly in recent weeks must reset themselves, because they can fight very large forces." In his remarks, Trump hinted at a possible deterioration of the fighting and the opening of a front against Iran.
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