US President acknowledges humanitarian catastrophe,
presses Israel to allow full food delivery as pressure mounts from allies and
protesters.
TURNBERRY, Scotland — U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday called on
Israel to allow “every ounce of food” into Gaza, directly challenging Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s denial of starvation in the besieged Palestinian
territory. Speaking alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a joint
press appearance at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, Trump
acknowledged there is “real starvation” in Gaza and said his administration
would intensify efforts to ensure humanitarian access.
Trump’s comments mark his strongest rebuke yet of
Israel’s handling of the months-long conflict in Gaza. Amid growing
international condemnation and reports from aid agencies of widespread famine,
the president’s public disagreement with Netanyahu suggests a significant shift
in U.S. rhetoric on the crisis.
“Those children look very hungry,” Trump said,
referencing televised images of malnourished minors. “We can save a lot of
people. That’s real starvation; you can’t fake that.” He emphasized his demand
to the Israeli government: “Make sure they get the food, every ounce of food.”
Netanyahu had earlier dismissed starvation reports
as a “bold-faced lie,” a claim widely disputed by the United Nations and
humanitarian groups. On the same day, at least 25 Palestinians were killed as
Israeli troops opened fire on civilians attempting to access aid in the
southern Gaza Strip.
Starmer, who pressed Trump privately on the crisis
according to UK officials, echoed the urgency, calling the situation an
“absolute catastrophe” and advocating for an immediate ceasefire. He announced
plans to convene an emergency cabinet meeting in London to finalize a joint
peace initiative with France and Germany.
Trump, meanwhile, said he had told Netanyahu that
“maybe it’s time to do it a different way,” suggesting dissatisfaction with
Israel’s military tactics and humanitarian access restrictions. He criticized
Hamas for not releasing hostages but underscored Israel’s “responsibility” for
conditions on the ground.
In addition to public criticism, Trump revealed
that the U.S. and its allies plan to establish “walk-in” food centers across
Gaza. Details remain scarce, but the initiative represents a rare multilateral
step under Trump’s leadership to address a crisis in a foreign conflict zone.
The remarks came during Trump’s diplomatic visit to
the UK, where he and Starmer participated in bilateral meetings and were
scheduled to visit Trump’s second golf course in Aberdeenshire. Despite cordial
remarks between the two leaders, Trump intervened in British domestic politics
by urging Starmer to “cut taxes and crack down on immigration” to win the next
election—an unusual and controversial move.
The humanitarian fallout from the war in Gaza
remains dire. According to local health officials, 78 Palestinians were killed
on Monday alone, including a pregnant woman and her newborn. Aid groups warned
that new Israeli “safe zones” and ten-hour aid pauses were insufficient to curb
mass starvation. All 55 aid trucks that entered Gaza that day were reportedly
looted before reaching warehouses due to desperation among civilians.
The UK confirmed it is working with Jordan to
continue airdrop operations while simultaneously pushing for broader diplomatic
engagement. More than 220 MPs across party lines have urged Starmer to
immediately recognize Palestinian statehood—pressure that intensified after
French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would do so at the UN General
Assembly in September.
While Trump dismissed recognition efforts, he
stated he had “no objection” to allies doing so, signaling possible openness to
divergent diplomatic strategies among NATO partners.
Protests followed Trump throughout his visit. In
Balmedie, near Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course, roughly 100 demonstrators
gathered with Palestinian flags, decrying his stance on Gaza, immigration, and
international aid cuts. “If it was happening to my grandchildren, I would hope
others would stand up,” said retired teacher Kay Collin.
Security was tight, with local access blocked and
snipers stationed in surrounding dunes. Protesters also criticized the use of
public funds for hosting Trump amid ongoing UK public service cuts.
Trump also used the platform to threaten sanctions
on Russia’s trading partners if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not achieved within
10 to 12 days. “I’m very disappointed in Putin,” he said, referencing continued
airstrikes on civilian targets.
With humanitarian and geopolitical crises converging,
Trump’s statements marked a notable recalibration of his international
posture—potentially positioning the U.S. as a more active player in resolving
the war in Gaza, even as his administration faces scrutiny over domestic and
foreign policy contradictions.