Trump says No. 1 priority now in Gaza is getting people fed
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and US President Donald Trump at Mr Trump's golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 28.
PHOTO: EPA
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TURNBERRY, Scotland - US President Donald Trump said on July 28 that the No. 1 priority in Gaza was getting people fed, because “you have a lot of starving people”, adding that he was not going to take a position on Palestinian statehood at the moment.
Mr Trump, speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, said the United States had provided US$60 million (S$77 million) for humanitarian aid, and other nations would have to step up.
Mr Trump also said the US would work with other countries to provide more humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including food and sanitation.
“We’re going to set up food centres”, with no fences or boundaries to ease access, he told reporters after a meeting with Mr Starmer.
Mr Starmer described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “absolutely intolerable” and said food aid needs to be moved into the enclave quickly.
Mr Trump said he discussed the issue with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on July 27, and she told him that European countries would step up their assistance very substantially. He said he also planned to discuss the humanitarian situation with Mr Starmer during his visit on July 28.
“We’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food, and other nations are now stepping up,” Mr Trump said. “It’s a mess. They have to get food and safety right now.”
Mr Starmer agreed, saying: “It’s a humanitarian crisis, right? It’s an absolute catastrophe... I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they’re seeing on their screen.”
Mr Trump said he would not comment on a push by French President Emmanuel Macron to back Palestinian statehood
The US leader also criticised Hamas for not agreeing to release more hostages, living and dead, and said the militant group had become difficult to deal with in recent days.
He added that he was talking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about “various plans” to free hostages still held in the enclave.
Mr Trump said he had told Mr Netanyahu that Israel’s approach would likely have to change.
“I told Bibi that you have to maybe do it a different way,” Mr Trump said, echoing similar comments made on July 27.
Asked if a ceasefire was still possible, he said: “Yeah, a ceasefire is possible, but you have to get it, you have to end it.”
He did not elaborate on what he meant.
Mr Trump underscored the importance of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying the Palestinian group had changed its position and was refusing to release more hostages.
Hamas has said it is willing to release hostages under a ceasefire agreement with Israel. It submitted its response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal on July 24 at talks in Doha. Hours later, Israel withdrew its delegation from the talks
On July 27, Mr Trump said Israel would have to make a decision on the next steps
Israel carried out an air drop daily humanitarian pauses
On July 28, the Gaza Health Ministry said at least 14 people had died in the past 24 hours of starvation and malnutrition, bringing the war’s death toll from hunger to 147, including 89 children, most in just the last few weeks.
Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March, reopening the territory with new restrictions in May. Israel says it abides by international law but must prevent aid from being diverted by militants, and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s people.
Mr Netanyahu said on July 27: “Israel is presented as though we are applying a campaign of starvation in Gaza. What a bald-faced lie. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza.” REUTERS
