(Aug. 12, 2025 / JNS) “I have one thing to say: remember October 7, remember October 7,” U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios on Monday, referring to the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of southern Israel by the terror group Hamas.

The president added that Hamas “can’t stay” in Gaza.

On Aug. 7, Israel’s Security Cabinet decided by a “decisive majority” to approve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take over Gaza City.

Although Trump wouldn’t say whether he endorsed the Israeli government’s decision to expand its military effort, he “seemed to agree” with Netanyahu that upping military pressure on Hamas was necessary, Axios reported.

While some Israeli military commanders argued against an expanded military operation for fear it would endanger the lives of some 20 of 50 remaining hostages still alive, Trump said it was always going to be “very rough to get [the hostages]” because Hamas isn’t going to let them out “in the current situation.”

Trump told Axios he had a “good call” with Netanyahu on Sunday. “The two discussed Israel’s plans to take control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza in order to end the war with the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas,” a readout of the call from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said.

“The Prime Minister thanked President Trump for his steadfast support of Israel since the beginning of the war,” it added.

Israel’s war plan was received with global opprobrium, particularly from its European allies. On Aug. 8, foreign ministers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and others rejected the plan in a joint statement, claiming, “It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation.” They called for an immediate ceasefire.

The plan to conquer Gaza City is a watered-down version of Netanyahu’s original plan to occupy the remaining 25% of the Gaza Strip that Israel has not yet taken.

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