Netanyahu, Trump to Plot Hamas Counterstrike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss strategies for countering the influence of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. The meeting, which is expected to take place in the near future, comes as tensions between Israel and Hamas continue to escalate.

Netanyahu and Trump are expected to discuss a range of issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the ongoing blockade of Gaza and the potential for a two-state solution. However, the primary focus of the meeting is likely to be on ways to weaken Hamas and prevent the group from launching further attacks on Israeli territory.

Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, has been responsible for a number of high-profile attacks on Israel in recent years. The group has also been accused of using civilian infrastructure in Gaza as cover for its military activities, making it difficult for Israel to respond without causing civilian casualties.

Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of Hamas and has called for the group to be dismantled. In a speech earlier this year, he accused Hamas of using the people of Gaza as "human shields" and called on the international community to hold the group accountable for its actions.

Trump, for his part, has taken a tough stance on Iran, which is a key backer of Hamas. In recent months, the U.S. has imposed a series of sanctions on Iran and has threatened to withdraw from the nuclear deal that was signed between Iran and world powers in 2015. Netanyahu is expected to urge Trump to take a similarly tough stance on Hamas and its supporters.

The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump comes as the Israeli government faces growing criticism from the international community over its treatment of the Palestinian people. The United Nations and a number of European countries have called on Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza and to take steps to improve the living conditions of the Palestinian people.

However, Netanyahu has rejected these calls, arguing that the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza and to protect Israeli citizens from attack. He has also accused the international community of being biased against Israel and of failing to recognize the legitimate security concerns of the Israeli people.

The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is likely to be closely watched by the international community, as it could