The former president of the United States, Donald Trump, has criticized the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, for what he said was a lack of preparation for the weekend attack by the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, as a result of which about 1,200 Israelis were killed.
Speaking on Fox News late Wednesday, Trump, who is leading the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said Netanyahu was "hurt very badly" by the attack.
"He was not prepared. He was not prepared and Israel was not prepared. With Trump, they wouldn't have to prepare at all," Trump said.
Trump made these comments at a time when Israel is still collecting the bodies of the dead and still has not recovered from the surprise attack and one of the most devastating attacks in its history.
On Monday, Israel began retaliatory bombing of the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,200 Palestinians.
One of Trump's opponents in the Republican race, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, criticized the former president for these comments.
"It is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for president, would choose this time to attack our ally and friend, Israel," DeSantis wrote on social media.
Trump and Netanyahu had a very good relationship during Trump's time as president, although there have been rifts in their previously unbreakable relationship.
Speaking to supporters in Florida on Wednesday night, Trump again commented on Israel's security preparations, highlighting "a few things that went wrong over the weekend."
Trump added: "They have to sort this out because they're fighting maybe a very large force, they're fighting Iran, maybe."