Trump Warns Gaza War is “Hurting Israel” as Global Support Declines

Amid backing Israel’s military goals, Trump Warns Gaza War is “Hurting Israel” as Global Support Declines. US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, while yielding battlefield gains, is inflicting serious damage on the country’s reputation both in the United States and abroad.

In an interview released Monday with the Daily Caller, Trump said Israel “may be winning the war, but they’re not winning the world of public relations,” adding that prolonged fighting is “hurting Israel” in the eyes of global opinion and lawmakers in Washington.

Trump, who has positioned himself as one of Israel’s staunchest allies, nonetheless repeated his view that Jerusalem must end the war quickly. “They’re gonna have to get that war over with… It is hurting Israel. There’s no question about it,” he said.

Trump Warns Gaza War is “Hurting Israel” as Global Support Declines

Trump’s dual message: Support for Israel, but urgency to end conflict

While calling for a swift conclusion, Trump has also backed Israel’s military plan to seize Gaza City and defeat Hamas. He argued that the militant group will only release remaining hostages if it is decisively destroyed.

Israeli defense officials have estimated the Gaza City campaign could take up to five months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaling further operations may follow in central Gaza refugee camps.

Trump, however, suggested that Israel must act within a shrinking window of legitimacy. “They’re gonna have to finish the job,” he told aides, according to reports.

Declining support in Congress and among Republicans

The president also acknowledged a significant shift in how Israel is perceived in Washington.

Once considered the most powerful foreign lobby in Congress, Israel’s influence, Trump argued, has weakened dramatically.

“Israel had the strongest lobby in Congress of anything I’ve ever seen. They had total control over Congress. Today, it doesn’t have that strong a lobby. It’s amazing,” Trump told the Daily Caller.

He noted that a Pew Research poll earlier this year found that 53% of Americans view Israel unfavorably, up from 42% in 2022.

Among Republicans, nearly half now report unfavorable views a major shift in a party long considered unwavering in its support for Israel.

“I’m a little surprised,” Trump admitted. “People, they forgot about October 7th.”

Remembering October 7 and its aftermath

Trump emphasized that the October 7 Hamas attacks which killed more than 1,200 people and triggered the Gaza war should not be forgotten.

“October 7th was a truly horrible day, because I’ve seen the pictures,” Trump said. “You have people that deny it ever happened, just like there are people that deny the Holocaust.”

He insisted that Israel must maintain international sympathy by ensuring the conflict does not overshadow the brutality of Hamas’s attack.

Global backlash: Calls for recognition of Palestine

Trump’s comments come as international criticism of Israel’s Gaza campaign intensifies. Britain and France, along with several European partners, have signaled plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned what he described as a “man-made famine” in Gaza, criticizing Israel for blocking aid. “Israel’s reputation is diminishing in the eyes of young people across the globe who look at this with horror,” Lammy said in Parliament.

He urged Israel to “step back and recognize the reputational damage caused by its actions,” while calling for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release.

Also Read: Belgium to Recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly and Imposes 12 Sanctions on Israel

The humanitarian cost in Gaza

Lammy’s remarks highlighted a humanitarian catastrophe that international organizations have described as worsening daily.

With thousands of casualties and widespread displacement, the situation has led to global protests and mounting calls for accountability.

The UK has pledged to evacuate sick and injured children from Gaza for treatment in British hospitals and to support Palestinian students awarded scholarships.

Italy and other European nations have undertaken similar efforts.

Also Read: Gaza desperately needs aid. How many trucks has Israel let in?

Netanyahu rejects partial hostage deal

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on his refusal to accept a partial hostage deal, citing Trump’s backing for a full military campaign.

“Forget the partial deals. Go in with full force. Finish it,” Netanyahu quoted Trump as advising. Israeli ministers say Netanyahu genuinely opposes any compromise, arguing that only Hamas’s destruction will ensure long-term security.

Trump claims “nobody has done more for Israel”

Despite his warnings about the public opinion battle, Trump reminded audiences of his pro-Israel record.

“Nobody has done more for Israel than I have,” he said, referencing his administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the Abraham Accords, and recent U.S. support against Iranian attacks.

But his latest comments reflect a growing tension between his instinct to defend Israel militarily and his political concern over how the war is reshaping U.S. and global sentiment.

Analysis: A political balancing act

Trump’s message underscores a delicate balancing act. On one hand, he continues to support Israel’s war objectives.

On the other, he is acutely aware that prolonged conflict risks alienating American voters especially younger ones and eroding bipartisan support in Congress.

Analysts note that Trump’s acknowledgment of Israel “losing the world of public relations” is a rare admission by a sitting U.S. president that military victories can be undermined by reputational losses.

With polls showing rising disapproval of Israel’s actions, his warning carries both diplomatic and electoral weight.

The global stage: What’s next for Israel?

As Britain and France push forward with recognition of Palestinian statehood, and as protests mount across universities and capitals worldwide, Israel faces mounting pressure to adapt its strategy.

For Trump, the path forward appears clear: defeat Hamas militarily, but bring the war to a close swiftly enough to salvage Israel’s standing.

Whether Netanyahu and the Israeli leadership heed that advice remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s warning that Israel is “hurting” itself in the Gaza war highlights a new phase in the conflict not just on the battlefield, but in the court of global public opinion.

While Israel remains determined to press its military campaign against Hamas, the erosion of congressional backing, Republican unity, and international sympathy underscores the stakes. As Trump put it: “They may be winning the war, but they’re not winning the world.”