United States President Donald Trump expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israel to provide food to the people.
Speaking in Scotland on Monday, Trump said the US and other countries are providing money and food to Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must "take care, manage" the process of sending the food.
"I want him to make sure they get food," Trump said. "I want to make sure they get food."
Images of malnourished children have recently emerged from Gaza, sparking concerns about famine in the war-torn Palestinian territory.
It appears that Trump's comments are a result of these images, as the war between Israel and Hamas - the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union - is in its 21st month, with the parties no closer to reaching a ceasefire.
The US president was asked if he agreed with statements made on Sunday by Netanyahu, when he said that "there is no hunger policy in Gaza and there is no hunger in Gaza."
"I don't know," Trump replied. "Based on what we see on television, I would say it's not exactly like that because those kids look very hungry," he said.
In light of intensifying international criticism, the Israeli military over the weekend began airdropping aid and initiated limited pauses in fighting in three residential areas of Gaza for ten hours a day in order to assist with the distribution of aid.
Last Friday, Trump spoke about the situation in Gaza, after the US and Israel pulled negotiating teams from talks in Qatar on a ceasefire agreement. He said Hamas "will probably be pursued" until it is eliminated.
But Trump on Monday appeared more inclined to take action, following reports of starvation deaths and images of people, especially children and infants, struggling to get food in Gaza.
During the meeting with Starmer, Trump said the US "will be setting up food centers," but gave no further details.
Trump said Hamas has stolen food and aid that was meant for the people in Gaza, but when asked by reporters what responsibility Israel has for restricting aid to Gaza, he said that "Israel has a lot of responsibility."
However, he added that Israel is also limited in its actions as it attempts to keep alive the 20 hostages being held in Gaza.
When asked if Israel could do more, Trump said "I think Israel could do more," but did not provide further details.
"We need to help in the humanitarian aspect first of all. We need to feed the children," he said.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas radicals attacked southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping nearly 250 others.
As a result of the Israeli offensive, more than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed and the country of over 2 million inhabitants is facing a deep humanitarian crisis./ REL (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
