President Donald Trump told reporters traveling with him in Turnberry, Scotland, on Monday that the US will set up “food centers” in Gaza to address the ongoing starvation and malnutrition crisis amid Israel’s aid blockade.
“We’re going to set up food centers, and we’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people, and … we’re going to spend a little money on some food, and other nations are joining us,” Trump said. “So, we’re going to set up food centers, and where the people can walk in and no boundaries; we’re not going to have fences.”
Trump, who has largely blamed Hamas for the delay in distributing aid to civilians in Gaza, acknowledged Israel “has a lot of responsibility,” for limiting aid to the region, but again called for Hamas to release the hostages still held in Gaza to ease negotiations, warning Israel could escalate its campaign in the enclave.
“[Hamas] did horrible things on October 7th, and the hostages are a shield — and I said, you know, you’re going to get down a number, and the number is going to be at a point where you’re not going to be able to get them back, unless you’re going to be very energetic,” Trump said. “Or to put it a different way, unless you’re going to be very ruthless and violent.”
The president also broke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s weekend assertion that there is “no starvation in Gaza.”
“That’s real starvation stuff,” Trump said. “I see it, and you can’t fake that. So, we’re going to be even more involved.”
In his comments Monday, Trump acknowledged the challenges that have come with distributing food to Palestinians in Gaza, referencing images of Gazans lining up for aid.
“You know, you’ve seen the areas where they actually have food, and the people are screaming for the food in there — they’re 35, 40 yards away, and they won’t let them because they have lines that are set up,” Trump said, adding, “We have to get rid of those lines, but we’re going to be getting some good, strong food. We can save a lot of people.”
