The Israeli prime minister was quick to congratulate the Republican leader, and the two have chatted by phone repeatedly since the election.
Trump's message? He reportedly told Netanyahu he wants Israel to wrap up its conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon before the Jan. 20 inauguration. That has led to speculation that Netanyahu will announce cease-fire agreements as Trump takes office, a kind of congratulatory reward.
That means Netanyahu has roughly 70 days to inflict as much damage as possible against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which are backed by Iran.
Several Israeli officials are also eyeing the Trump victory as an opportunity to annex territory in the occupied West Bank, home to 3 million Palestinians. Such an action would be considered illegal under international law.
"This will be the year" for full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said
Trump's message? He reportedly told Netanyahu he wants Israel to wrap up its conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon before the Jan. 20 inauguration. That has led to speculation that Netanyahu will announce cease-fire agreements as Trump takes office, a kind of congratulatory reward.
That means Netanyahu has roughly 70 days to inflict as much damage as possible against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which are backed by Iran.
Several Israeli officials are also eyeing the Trump victory as an opportunity to annex territory in the occupied West Bank, home to 3 million Palestinians. Such an action would be considered illegal under international law.
"This will be the year" for full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said
11 hours ago
