Trump boasts of near daily conversations with Israel PM Netanyahu

Donald Trump boasted on Wednesday that he had conversations with Benjamin Netanyahu almost daily, saying he had a very good relationship with the Israeli prime minister.

Trump has previously cast himself as Israel's "protector" and said Netanyahu's government must "finish the problem" in its war on Gaza.

"Bibi called me yesterday, called me the day before," said the Republican candidate, using Netanyahu's nickname.

"We have a very good relationship," Trump said at a campaign rally in the US state of Georgia, adding: "We're going to work with them very closely."

Trump had already reported a telephone conversation with Netanyahu on Saturday, claiming that the Israeli leader "wants my view on things."

The last public call between US President Joe Biden and Netanyahu was on 17 October, when the American leader congratulated his Israeli counterpart on the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, according to the White House.

During his visit to the US Congress at the end of July, Netanyahu paid a vibrant tribute to Trump, thanking him for everything he has done for Israel.