by Felicia Schwartz at Politico
The split screen moment casts doubt that an end to the Gaza war is likely anytime soon.
UNITED NATIONS — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Friday that Israel would “finish the job” in Gaza as President Donald Trump expressed fresh optimism that a deal to end the fighting in the enclave was near.
Netanyahu’s remarks to the United Nations General Assembly cast doubt on an imminent breakthrough. While Qatar had been mediating between the Hamas militant group and Israel with U.S. support, those talks have largely stalled after Israel earlier this month bombed Hamas leaders in Doha.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday moments after Netanyahu’s remarks, Trump said a deal on Gaza is “very close.”
Netanyahu’s message to the U.N. was very different. He said Israel’s military was “not done yet” and would continue its operation to rout Hamas from Gaza City.
“The final remnants of Hamas are holed up in Gaza City. They vow to repeat the atrocities of Oct. 7,” he said. “That is why Israel must finish the job. That is why we want to do so.”
Netanyahu will meet with Trump on Monday at the White House,…