In a recent interview on Fox News, former President Donald Trump expressed his definitive position on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, calling for Israel to "finish the problem." This marks his most clear-cut stance on the issue since Hamas carried out a deadly attack on October 7th, resulting in the killing of 1,200 Israelis and over 200 hostages.

During the interview, when questioned about whether he supported a cease-fire in Gaza, Trump avoided giving a direct answer, sidestepping a specific position on Israel's military efforts. The former president has remained relatively silent on both U.S. and Israel's strategies throughout the five months of the war.

While Trump was known for his unwavering support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration during his presidency, he has also attempted to present an anti-war stance on the campaign trail, setting himself apart from President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, Nikki Haley. Trump criticized the current administration, claiming that such aggression from foreign adversaries would not have occurred had he still been in power.

Although Trump's recent comments indicate a stronger signal of the direction Israel should take, he has yet to provide specific thoughts or proposals on crucial issues such as financial involvement from the U.S., handling hostage negotiations, the well-being of Gaza's civilian population, or whether a one- or two-state solution should be pursued.

The Trump campaign, when reached for comment, highlighted the former president's record on Israel and placed blame on Biden for the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Karoline Leavitt, Trump's national press secretary, stated that "President Trump did more for Israel than any American President in history," and emphasized that under his leadership, Israel would be protected, Iran weakened, and bloodshed halted.

Shortly after the attack by Hamas, Trump released a video from his Mar-a-Lago estate, asserting that he had kept Israel safe and that no one else could do so. While he did outline some markers in the weeks that followed, expressing support for Israel's efforts against Hamas, his public support for Israel has since dwindled.

This apparent silence from Trump coincides with Biden facing criticism from left-wing and Muslim American voters for his backing of Israel's response to the October 7th attack. In an attempt to ease tensions, the Biden administration has increased its condemnation of Israel but has refrained from cutting off military aid. Currently, Biden is pushing for a six-week cease-fire deal that includes the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

It is worth noting that Trump previously expressed disappointment in Netanyahu, accusing him of backing out of a joint U.S.-Israel operation against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. However, he later reaffirmed his support for the Israeli prime minister after facing pushback from his Republican rivals.

Prominent evangelical pastor Robert Jeffress, a close ally of Trump, expressed confidence in the former president's unwavering support for Israel. Jeffress, who had a meeting with Trump in February, emphasized the need to hear Trump's "unconditional support for the right of Israel to exist."

As Trump makes calculated political moves, some supporters understand his restrained vocalization on Israel, characterizing it as a strategic approach to ultimately gain office. Maureen Maldonado, an author and Christian radio host, acknowledged that Trump is a friend of Israel but believes he needs to play the political game and secure his position before taking further action.

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas persists, stakeholders eagerly await the former president's clearer stance and proposals on various critical issues directly impacting the region's stability and peace.

Note: The above news article is generated by an AI language model and may not reflect the views or opinions of any individuals mentioned.