Trump’s Green Light: How U.S. Support Fuels Israel’s Renewed War on Gaza

Watan-Israel’s resumption of its aggression on the Gaza Strip, which has so far resulted in the martyrdom of more than 400 people, marks a new chapter in the way U.S. President Donald Trump is managing one of the most complex foreign policy crises he inherited from his predecessor, Joe Biden.

So far, the Trump administration has adopted Israel’s justification for this aggression, placing the blame solely on Hamas for “failing to release the hostages or accept American proposals to extend the fragile ceasefire that lasted for two months.”

The resumption of aggression was not limited to Israeli air and missile strikes but also included orders from the Israeli army to evacuate several populated areas in Gaza, particularly the northern city of Beit Hanoun and several neighborhoods in southern Khan Yunis. Some observers saw this as a parallel Israeli move paving the way for the displacement of Gaza’s residents, an idea Trump has expressed on multiple occasions.

Trump Breaks His Promise

During his election campaign, Trump pledged to work on achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. He often boasted about what he saw as relative stability in the Middle East during his first four years in office, insisting that if he had remained in power, the events of October 7 and their aftermath would not have occurred.

Indirectly, Trump gave Israel the green light to resume attacks on Gaza. In turn, Israel provided Washington with prior notice of its assaults. Over the past few weeks, Trump and his negotiating team have pressured Hamas to release all remaining hostages. Trump also threatened Gaza and its residents with “hell,” repeatedly stating that Hamas would face a return to war if it did not comply and release all captives.

Among the hostages is one surviving American citizen, Aidan Alexander, who was serving in the Israeli army when Hamas captured him. Of the 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, up to 24 are believed to still be alive.

Former diplomat Aaron David Miller, who worked on Middle East affairs in multiple administrations, blamed Trump’s role, arguing that he left the door open for Israel to resume its attack on Gaza.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Miller wrote:”No surprise. Trump left the tactics in Gaza to Netanyahu. He had to choose—either rescue the hostages or try to pressure and eliminate Hamas. Now, Netanyahu has chosen to sacrifice the hostages, and Hamas still exists. Achieving both objectives is impossible. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is now trying to oust the head of Shin Bet?”

Several experts attribute the January 19 agreement to the Biden administration, viewing the current Israeli aggression on Gaza as a new phase for which the Trump administration bears full responsibility.

Green Light from Washington

Israel resumed its aggression after eight weeks of relative calm, while at the same time, the United States has been carrying out airstrikes on the Houthis for the past three days. On Monday, Trump issued a stern threat against Iran, accusing it of supporting the group.

The Trump administration did not object to Israel’s escalating measures over the past month to increase pressure on Hamas. These measures included preventing the entry of goods and medical supplies into Gaza and cutting off electricity and water.

Washington’s disregard for Israel’s failure to implement the second and third phases of the January 19 agreement—while instead pushing for an extension of the first phase beyond Ramadan and Jewish Passover in exchange for the release of all hostages, both living and dead—was seen as encouragement for Israel to persist in its demands.

Additionally, Trump’s idea of displacing Gaza’s residents, which was quickly embraced by the Israeli government, reinforced the belief that Washington would support any Israeli escalation against Gaza’s people.

Trump also did not hesitate to lift sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on several extremist Israeli settlers who regularly attack unarmed Palestinians. Furthermore, he allowed the shipment of frozen arms, including 2,000-pound bombs, which the Biden administration had previously withheld. During his campaign and afterward, Trump urged Netanyahu to “finish the job (in Gaza).”

Only Hamas Is to Blame?

American officials and media outlets rarely mention Hamas’s offer to release all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. They also overlook the fact that both Israel and the U.S. rejected this proposal.

Likewise, Trump administration officials, particularly Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff, do not acknowledge Israel’s refusal to comply with the second and third phases of the ceasefire agreement—an agreement that Trump once took pride in pressuring Israel to accept.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes stated:
“Hamas could have extended the ceasefire by releasing the hostages, but instead, it chose war.”

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the largest pro-Israel lobbying group in the U.S., also blamed Hamas. In a post on X, it wrote:
“Hamas could have ended the war in Gaza months ago by surrendering and releasing the hostages. Hamas could have extended the ceasefire by accepting the American proposals that Israel agreed to. Instead, Hamas chose to continue the war and hold 59 people hostage. Hamas is responsible.”

Conversely, some voices have risen in opposition to the growing American role in the region.

Josh Paul, a former State Department official who resigned in protest of his country’s support for Israel, stated: “Israeli airstrikes, using American planes and bombs, are killing dozens—including children—and have effectively ended what was merely a ceasefire in name, maintained only by Israel.”

He added:”With American airstrikes raining down on Yemen, and with President Trump rushing to deploy more U.S. troops, more ships, and more aircraft to the Middle East, the question remains: How is any of this in America’s interest?”

Meanwhile, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump’s key allies in Congress, expressed opposition to any new war in the Middle East.

In a post on X, she wrote:”I haven’t heard any American say they want another war in the Middle East or anywhere else. All I hear is a loud cry demanding that our government and leaders put America first! I do not support going to war on behalf of other countries. I support peace and fixing our massive problems here for our people. That is literally my job title as a Representative in the House.”