International-News

Trump Leaves Door Open to Working With Gadi Eisenkot as Rift With Netanyahu Deepens

The U.S. president declines to fully back Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future, signals openness toward a key rival, and warns that military pressure on Iran could escalate without a new agreement

President Donald Trump is keeping his options open in Israeli politics, declining to firmly endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future while expressing no reservations about working with former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, one of Netanyahu’s leading political challengers.

Asked by Time whether he might work more effectively with Eisenkot, Trump offered a measured response. “Well, I don’t know. I don’t hear bad things about him,” he said.

The comments come as relations between Washington and Netanyahu have reportedly become increasingly strained. According to a senior administration official cited by Time, tensions have intensified in recent months amid disagreements over the handling of the conflict involving Iran and its regional allies.

U.S. sources quoted by the magazine contend that Netanyahu encouraged the White House to adopt a harder line toward Tehran, then complicated subsequent American efforts to bring the confrontation under control. Those accounts also allege that the Israeli prime minister authorized strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after Trump had urged him not to proceed.

Trump also dismissed claims that Netanyahu had advance warning from Egypt or the United Arab Emirates about Hamas’ October 7 attack. Speaking to Time, the president said he does not believe the Israeli leader was informed beforehand.

“I think if he had known, he would have done something,” Trump said. “He certainly would have at least put his people on alert.”

Beyond Israel, Trump indicated that military pressure on Iran could increase if diplomatic efforts fail to produce a satisfactory outcome. In remarks to Time, he did not rule out intensified bombing operations after November’s midterm elections should negotiations with Tehran fall short of Washington’s expectations.

“By obliterating Iran, we created peace in the world,” Trump said. “With this Iran, I don’t think you can ever have peace.”

According to the magazine, the possibility remains that the administration could expand the scale of attacks after the midterms if no agreement is reached.

Trump also acknowledged that ongoing military operations have affected U.S. inventories of certain types of ammunition. While emphasizing that the situation is being addressed, he noted that some stockpiles have become tighter than others.

“Some types of ammunition are a little more scarce than others,” he said.

To replenish supplies, the president said agreements have been reached with major defense contractors including Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The effort, he added, is aimed at rebuilding inventories while expanding production of Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems.

“They’re building four, five, six plants,” Trump said. “They’re creating enormous production capacity.”

THE LATEST NEWS

International-News

Putin’s Return Flight Disrupted by Drone Attack That Closed Moscow Airports

10 October 2026

Flight-tracking data showed Russian government aircraft circling over the capital and diverting to St. Petersburg as airport operations were suspended...

Putin’s Return Flight Disrupted by Drone Attack That Closed Moscow Airports

International-News

Christa Pike Returns to Prison After Surviving Execution Attempt

10 October 2026

Christa Pike returns to prison after surviving a lethal injection attempt, leaving Tennessee officials facing unprecedented uncertainty over whether her...