Netanyahu Tells Trump Israel Must 'Complete Its Victory' Over Hamas and Hezbollah
In a telephone call recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President-elect Donald J. Trump that Israel must "complete its victory" against Iranian-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. Netanyahu said the call, over the weekend, was friendly, warm, and important, with the growing closeness between the two leaders. Meanwhile, Mr Netanyahu has been quick to tend the relationship with Mr Trump - he was among the first world leaders to call the president-elect after his November victory.
Tough blow to Hamas and Hezbollah
Netanyahu told Trump that Israel had delivered a severe blow not only to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, but also to Hamas, the Palestinian group behind the October 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Both groups receive significant support from Iran, making them key factors in Israel's security concerns. Netanyahu said Israel had crushed Hamas militarily, from the killing of its top leader, Yahya Sinwar, in an intense operation costing thousands of lives in Gaza.
In addition to its actions in Gaza, Israel launched airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure. These moves have weakened the group, including the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Both Israel and Hezbollah have since entered a ceasefire, but tensions remain high in the region.
Ongoing Military Operations and Strategy
Netanyahu also updated Trump on Israel's military activities in Syria, after the defeat of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The Israeli forces have expanded their operations beyond the Golan Heights to target military facilities in Syria. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel was committed to blocking Hezbollah from rearming, a threat that remains the top priority of the Israeli defense forces. In his call, Netanyahu issued a clear warning to both Hezbollah and Iran: Israel will continue to take necessary military action against them at any time and on any front.
A Friend to Israel: Trump's Support
Donald Trump has been a vocal supporter of Israel during his tenure, and many analysts have noted that the incoming president's stance is generally aligned with Netanyahu's goals. Trump has urged an end to the war in Gaza but has also been tough on the need to return hostages held by Hamas. Earlier this month, Trump threatened "hell to pay" if the hostages were not released before his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Netanyahu praised this statement at the time, believing it increased pressure on Hamas to act.
Biden Administration's Efforts for a Ceasefire
With President Joe Biden's administration drawing to a close, efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza have been ramped up. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said recently that the U.S. government is working toward a deal this month that would end fighting in exchange for the release of hostages. Yet after months of negotiations, there has still been no breakthrough in talks between Israel and Hamas.
Looking Ahead
As Israel has continued its military campaign against Hamas and Hezbollah, Netanyahu's call to "complete its victory" is an indicator that the government of Israel is still attached to its goals of neutralizing threats from Iranian-backed groups. The seemingly warming relationship between Netanyahu and Trump could further shape the conflict's trajectory in the next months.