US President Donald Trump on Monday urged Israel to take more responsibility for addressing the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying the region’s children “look very hungry” and calling for immediate food delivery to civilians trapped in the war zone.
Speaking during a visit to his Turnberry golf course in Scotland alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump appeared visibly moved by recent images showing malnourished children in Gaza, signaling a shift from his earlier, more resigned remarks on the 21-month-long Israel-Hamas conflict.
“I want Prime Minister, Netanyahu to make sure they get the food,” Trump told reporters. “We just have to help on a humanitarian basis before we do anything. We have to get the kids fed.”
The comments followed Netanyahu’s denial on Sunday that Israel was using starvation as a tactic. “There is no policy of starvation in Gaza and there is no starvation,” the Israeli leader said. Asked whether he agreed, Trump replied, “I don’t know. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly, because those children look very hungry.”
Trump announced that the United States would begin setting up food centers in Gaza, though he offered no specifics, and the White House has yet to provide details on the logistics or timeline.
His new position comes as the Israeli military begins limited airdrops of aid and implements 10-hour daily humanitarian pauses in three populated areas.
While Trump had previously signaled resignation over failed ceasefire talks, stating last week that Hamas would likely be “hunted down” and that Israel would “have to clean it up,” his Monday remarks reflect increased urgency.
He also acknowledged that Israel bears “a lot of responsibility” for the aid restrictions but pointed to Hamas’ alleged theft of food as a complicating factor. “I think Israel can do a lot,” he said, though he offered no policy specifics and quickly pivoted to discuss Iran.
Starmer and el-Sissi Call for Immediate Action
Trump’s comments were echoed by other global leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who issued a direct appeal during a televised address, “Please, make every effort to stop this war and deliver the aid. I believe that it’s time to end this war.”
British Prime Minister Starmer, standing alongside Trump, was more forceful. “It’s a desperate situation,” he said. “I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they are seeing on their screens.”
Starmer, under pressure from his Labour Party to recognise a Palestinian state as France did last week reiterated the UK’s s support for a two-state solution. Trump, however, remained non-committal. “I’m not going to take a position,” he said. “I don’t mind him taking a position.”
UN Pushes Two-State Solution Amid Boycott by US and Israel
The comments came as the UN General Assembly convened high-level talks Monday to promote a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The United States and Israel boycotted the two-day session, underlining the diplomatic rift over the future of the region.
While Trump acknowledged the suffering on both sides, Monday’s remarks marked one of his strongest public appeals to Netanyahu since the Gaza war began.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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