‘Make sure they get food’: Trump presses Israel on Gaza aid amid humanitarian crisis

“We’re over here, and we’re over in the United States. I think I can speak for the Prime Minister. We’re giving money and things. He’s got to sort of, like, run it,” Trump said.

“Well, I want them to make sure they get the food. I want to make sure they get the food. Every ounce of food, I think you want to say. Because that food isn’t being delivered. Or at least all of it.”

Establishing Food Centres

Trump announced plans to establish “food centres” in Gaza to address the worsening hunger crisis. “We’re going to set up food centers where people can walk in  and no boundaries.

We’re not going to have fences,” Trump said, emphasising the need for direct aid delivery to civilians. He expressed concern over images of starving children, stating, “I mean, some of those kids – that’s real starvation stuff. You can’t fake that. They have to get food and safety right now.”

He said Israel had “a lot of responsibility” but noted the issue was complex due to hostages being held in Gaza. “I think Israel can do a lot,” he said.

Trump was asked whether he agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously downplayed reports of famine. “I don’t know. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry,” Trump said.

Trump also said the US had sent “tremendous amounts of aid” but felt it was not acknowledged. “Nobody said even thank you. Somebody should say thank you,” he said.

World leaders demand action

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi urged Trump to intervene in the Gaza war, saying, “Please, make every effort to stop this war and deliver the aid. I believe that it’s time to end this war.” El-Sissi directly addressed Trump, stating he’s “the one who is able to stop the war, deliver the aid and end this suffering”.

Trump acknowledged Israel’s significant role in the crisis, saying “Israel has a lot of responsibility,” while also noting the country’s efforts are complicated by the need to keep 20 hostages alive and Hamas’s alleged theft of food aid.

Palestinian two-state solution

Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed Gaza and a potential two-state solution during their meeting in Scotland. Starmer said the UK’s support for Palestinian statehood as part of a broader plan for a two-state solution, saying, “The UK supports statehood for the Palestinians but it must be part of a plan for a two-state solution.”

Trump expressed his non-committal stance on recognizing a Palestinian state, stating, “I’m not going to take a position.” He also showed leniency towards Starmer’s differing view, saying, “I don’t mind him taking a position.”

The comments came as the UN General Assembly on Monday brought together high-level officials to promote a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Israel and the US are boycotting the two-day meeting.