Former US President Donald Trump has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza war in an interview with Time magazine on Tuesday. Trump's remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the region and efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Trump pointed to the October 7 attack by Hamas and Netanyahu's response, stating, "He had his eye on it." He recounted a past incident involving the killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, which he claimed Netanyahu carried out prematurely, undermining a joint US-Israeli operation.

When asked about the possibility of ending US military aid to Israel to pressure for an end to the conflict, Trump did not confirm nor deny the option. However, he reiterated his calls for an end to the war and criticized Israeli policies and diplomatic efforts.

In the interview, Trump also expressed support for Israel in the event of a conflict with Iran, emphasizing, "If they attack Israel, yes, we will be there."

While Trump had previously advocated for a two-state solution, he now doubts its feasibility, citing challenges. He suggested that achieving peace in the region would be "very, very difficult."

Relations between Trump and Netanyahu have been strained since the November 2020 US presidential election. Trump accused Netanyahu of being unprepared for the October 7 attack and criticized Israel's intelligence and operational failures.

Trump's remarks underscore ongoing tensions in the region and the complexities of brokering peace between Israel and Palestine amidst escalating violence.