Former US President Donald Trump said this Friday that conflicts in the Middle East could escalate into a Third World War if he loses the 2024 election.
The Republican presidential candidate made the comments while meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home. Netanyahu traveled to Florida to meet with Trump after meeting with President Joe Biden and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC, earlier this week.
At Mar-a-Lago, Trump told reporters that Harris is "worse" on Middle East affairs and claimed that Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza could escalate into a wider regional conflict if she succeeds Biden.
"We will see how it goes. But if everything works, if we win, it will be very simple. Everything will work out. And very soon," Trump said.
"If we don't, you will end up with major wars in the Middle East. And maybe a third world war. You are closer to a World War III now than at any time since World War II. "We've never been this close because we have incompetent people running the country," Trump said.
Trump's comments come amid a reported diplomatic spat between Harris and Netanyahu that occurred after their meeting on Thursday.
In comments after the meeting, Harris said she had told the Israeli prime minister that she "will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including Iran and Iranian-backed militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah."
"I also expressed with the Prime Minister my serious concern at the level of human suffering in Gaza, including the deaths of many innocent civilians. And I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there," she added, calling for an end to the war and the release of all hostages held captive by Hamas.
According to Axios, Harris' criticism of Israel's handling of the Gaza war reportedly angered Netanyahu, who has repeatedly said that the fighting must continue until Hamas is eliminated, even if the hostages are released.
Asked about Harris' comments on Friday, Netanyahu told reporters that Israel still hopes for a cease-fire agreement.