Trump Says There Is ‘Real Starvation’ in Gaza
President Donald Trump openly disputed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that there is no starvation in Gaza, stating Monday that he believes a famine is underway in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Speaking outside his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Trump said, “Those children look very hungry… you can’t fake that.” The U.S. president added, “Maybe [Israel has] to do it a different way,” signaling a push for change in how aid is delivered to Gaza.
U.S. to Establish Food Centers as Ceasefire Push Intensifies
Trump confirmed that the United States would begin setting up food centers in Gaza, declaring, “We have to get the kids fed.” His remarks followed a series of reports showing worsening conditions and widespread hunger among civilians in the region.
Vice President JD Vance backed up the president’s stance during a trip to Ohio, stating the administration was “very worried about the humanitarian problem in Gaza.”
Gaza Hunger Crisis Deepens Despite Limited Aid Pauses
While Israel’s military has introduced 10-hour “tactical pauses” in some areas to allow aid in, humanitarian groups say it’s not enough. Sunday’s aid drops were described as “a drop in the ocean” by UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, who warned the coming days would be “make or break.”
The UN and Gaza’s health ministry reported that 14 people, including two children, died of starvation-related causes in the last 24 hours. The total death toll from malnutrition since the war began now stands at 147, with 88 children among the victims.
Starmer Presses Trump in Bilateral Talks
The famine in Gaza dominated bilateral talks between Trump and newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Downing Street indicated beforehand that Starmer would urge Trump to take a firmer stance toward Israel and reignite ceasefire negotiations.
Starmer is also facing internal political pressure, with over a third of Labour MPs urging him to immediately recognize a Palestinian state.
Food Aid Scarcity Fuels Scramble for Survival
Aid access remains perilous. Just under 30 food packages were airdropped into Gaza on Sunday, according to COGAT, Israel’s liaison with the Palestinians. But distribution has become increasingly violent.
Eighteen-year-old Abdul Rahman Al-Kahlout described waiting in the scorching sun for hours, only to face gunfire and chaos. “We died in the sun for four hours,” he said, adding he feared for his life “just for flour.”
Reports state more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed trying to access food aid since late May, many due to Israeli fire.
Escalating Violence Amid Aid Crisis
Gazan health officials said Israeli attacks killed at least 41 people between Saturday night and Sunday. Among them were 26 individuals reportedly attempting to reach aid drops, according to the Associated Press.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a joint U.S.-Israel-backed aid effort, has come under fire for the high number of civilian deaths during food distribution efforts.
