by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News)—U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he is not frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite recent speculation of tensions between the two leaders. His remarks came in a Fox News interview following a high-profile diplomatic tour of Gulf nations—a trip that notably excluded Israel.
Discussing the ongoing war in Gaza, Trump described the October 7 attacks as “one of the most violent days in the history of the world.” He expressed sympathy for Netanyahu, calling him “an angry man who should be because of October 7th” who has been “hurt badly” by the tragedy. Still, Trump praised the Israeli leader, saying he has “fought hard and bravely.”
Trump also reiterated his long-held position that such attacks would not have happened under his administration. He placed direct blame on the Biden administration for lifting sanctions on Iran, claiming that the resulting financial windfall enabled Tehran to fund terrorist groups, including Hamas.
“Iran had no money. They were stone-cold broke, and they weren’t giving money to Hamas,” Trump said. “Now they are. That’s the difference. That’s why we’re seeing this today,” Trump said.
The president also weighed in on the future of the Gaza Strip, describing the territory as a “dysfunctional” area plagued by “cycles of violence” due to Hamas’s continued grip on power. He proposed transforming Gaza into a “freedom zone,” though he offered no further specifics on how such a vision might be implemented.
During his Gulf tour, Trump met with several regional leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. When asked whether these states could play a role in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, Trump said he believed they would.
“All of the leaders I met are likely to be involved in shaping Gaza’s future,” Trump noted.
The diplomatic push reflects Trump’s broader Middle East strategy, which combines regional cooperation with a hard stance on Iran and unwavering support for Israel, despite recent signs of nuanced distance from its current leadership.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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