Trump Gives Netanyahu ‘Green Light’ as Israel Prepares to Flatten Gaza — ‘Not a Top Priority,’ Says Trump
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli officials say U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped back from ceasefire efforts in Gaza and given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the freedom to act as he sees fit. Gaza is not a top priority for Trump, according to Axios.
Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE next week. He is not expected to stop in Israel. U.S. and Israeli officials say the ongoing genocide makes such a visit politically risky. “Nothing good can come out of a visit to Israel at the moment,” one U.S. official told Axios.
Gaza, however, is not on Trump’s agenda. Arab and U.S. officials involved in planning the trip say Trump is focused on business deals and bilateral relations. “The optics around Trump’s visit, given the war, are very bad,” one Arab official said. “He made a splash pushing for a ceasefire before taking office, but now the situation is worse.”
Behind the scenes, Israeli leaders have set a deadline: if no ceasefire and prisoner deal is reached by May 15—before or during Trump’s visit—Israel will launch a full-scale invasion of Gaza.
On Sunday, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to reoccupy Gaza “indefinitely” if no deal is made. The Israeli army would destroy all remaining buildings and force over 2 million native Palestinians into a “humanitarian zone” near Rafah.
Palestinians would be asked to “voluntarily” leave Gaza under Trump’s vision for the enclave, according to one Israeli official.
Officials in both Israel and the U.S. admit the ceasefire talks are stuck. Israel wants a partial deal without ending the genocide. Hamas wants a full end to the genocide and the release of all 59 remaining Israeli prisoners.
Israeli officials call the new war plan “Gideon’s Chariots.” It includes an invasion with four or five divisions and destruction of buildings.
Israel claimed it plans to expel all civilians to Rafah. Those entering the humanitarian zone will undergo screening and facial recognition checks. The UN and other aid groups have refused to take part in the plan, calling it a military tactic.
