Donald Trump Hails Benjamin Netanyahu As ‘War Hero’ Amid Gaza Conflict

Last Updated:August 20, 2025, 05:19 IST

The comment comes at a tense moment, as Israel moves closer to a potential full-scale operation to capture Gaza City.

The president’s statement has added to the growing international focus on developments in Gaza (IMAGE: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has hailed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war hero" during a recent appearance on The Mark Levin Show. In the same conversation, Trump also referred to himself in similar terms, drawing a personal comparison.

The comment comes at a tense moment, as Israel moves closer to a potential full-scale operation to capture Gaza City. Speaking about Netanyahu, whom he referred to by his nickname, Bibi, Trump said, “He’s a good man, he’s in there fighting… they’re trying to put him in jail on top of everything else. He’s a war hero, I guess, I’m too."

The president’s statement has added to the growing international focus on developments in Gaza. Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media on Trump’s multilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Union leaders. She also shed light on the Israel-Gaza conflict, while confirming that the US “continues to discuss" a ceasefire proposal brokered by Arab mediators, which was formally accepted by Hamas just yesterday.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social yesterday," Leavitt told reporters.

Despite the ceasefire development, The Times of Israel reported that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz met with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and other senior commanders to approve final military plans for taking over Gaza City. The move signals that Israel is still preparing for a potential offensive. However, it is expected that if the countries reach a hostage deal timely, the takeover could be likely avoided.

According to Israeli officials, the IDF plans to issue evacuation warnings for residents of Gaza City ahead of the operation. Palestinians have reportedly been given until October 7, 2025, to evacuate the area.

In related news, Netanyahu has also criticised French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron for his recent move to recognise a Palestinian state. Calling Macron a supporter of antisemitism, Netanyahu’s comments drew swift condemnation. Macron responded by calling the accusations “abject" and “erroneous," stating that France “protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens."

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 20, 2025, 05:19 IST

News world Donald Trump Hails Benjamin Netanyahu As ‘War Hero’ Amid Gaza Conflict

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