President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is shifting its approach to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, promising more direct involvement through American-run food centers. Speaking from Scotland, Trump criticized Israel’s handling of aid deliveries and signaled a clear break from the ally’s narrative on conditions in the war-torn enclave.
Involvement
“It’s a terrible situation. The whole thing is terrible,” Trump said during remarks at his golf resort in Turnberry. He pointed to the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, saying he was moved to act after seeing disturbing images of children suffering from severe malnutrition.
“I mean, some of those kids, that’s real starvation stuff,” he said. “I see it. And you can’t fake that. So we’re going to be even more involved.”
The president’s comments come as global outrage continues to mount over the growing number of deaths in Gaza attributed to famine and the limited availability of aid. His announcement marks a rare instance of public divergence from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has insisted there is no starvation in Gaza.
Food Aid
Trump revealed that the U.S. will be launching its own food distribution centers within Gaza, although no timeline was given for when they would be operational. The move reflects mounting frustration in Washington over stalled aid deliveries and ongoing Israeli restrictions that humanitarian groups say have made it impossible to avert a full-scale famine.
While Israel has implemented limited tactical pauses in the fighting to allow some aid in, Trump said the small-scale efforts are falling short.
He also questioned whether previous aid shipments from the U.S. had even reached the intended recipients. “You know, when you do something there, it gets taken by Hamas—or somebody—but it gets taken,” he said.
Hostages and Hamas
Trump expressed skepticism about the prospects for ending the conflict diplomatically, blaming Hamas for holding on to the remaining Israeli hostages.
“Hamas has become very difficult to deal with,” he said. “They don’t want to give up these last 20 [hostages] because they think as long as we have them, they have protection.”
The president’s comments align with those of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday and said there’s “no way you’re going to negotiate an end to this war with Hamas.” Graham called the group “religious Nazis,” underscoring the deep mistrust many U.S. officials have toward the group.
Global Support
Trump also met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while in Scotland. He said both leaders agreed on the need to increase humanitarian support to Gaza and affirmed their countries’ roles in future aid efforts.
Though specifics remain unclear, Trump suggested the U.S. would no longer rely solely on international organizations to distribute aid. “We’re not going to wait around anymore,” he said. “We’re going to do this.”
Pressure Mounting
Human rights groups, UN officials, and aid organizations have warned for weeks that Gaza is on the brink of widespread famine. The partial ceasefire measures and airdrops of aid packages have done little to reverse the worsening conditions, with reports indicating that hundreds have died from starvation-related causes.
Trump’s announcement of American-run food centers signals a notable pivot in U.S. policy and may create new tensions with Israel as the administration seeks to take a more active role on the ground.
FAQs
What did Trump announce for Gaza?
Plans for U.S.-run food centers to combat starvation.
Did Trump criticize Israel’s aid handling?
Yes, he questioned the effectiveness of Israeli-led deliveries.
Why is Trump shifting U.S. policy in Gaza?
He cited images of starving children and a failed aid system.
Is Hamas still holding hostages?
Yes, Trump said they’re using them as leverage.
When will food centers be ready?
No timeline has been provided yet by the administration.
