Egypt Daily News – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has distanced himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent claim that there is “no famine” in Gaza, pointing instead to what he described as the visible suffering of Palestinian children. Speaking to reporters in Scotland on Monday, Trump made it clear that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a key reason for his scheduled meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“I don’t know, I mean, based on what I’ve seen on television, I’d say not particularly,” Trump said when asked if he agreed with Netanyahu’s remarks. “Those children look very hungry.” He added, “We’re providing a lot of money and a lot of food, and other countries are stepping up now as well.”
His comments come amid international scrutiny of Israel’s blockade and military campaign in Gaza, which has led to acute shortages of food, medicine, and clean water. Aid organizations and UN bodies have repeatedly warned of impending famine, particularly in northern Gaza, where conditions are reportedly most dire.
Humanitarian Focus Amid Political Caution
Despite acknowledging the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe, Trump refrained from endorsing the political positions of his British counterpart. Starmer recently said that recognizing a Palestinian state would be one of the “concrete steps” toward a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas. Trump, however, chose to sidestep that debate.
“I’m not taking a position,” Trump said from his golf resort in Turnberry. “I don’t mind if [Starmer] takes a position, I’m focused on feeding people. Right now, that’s the most important position for me, because there are a lot of people starving.”
Trump’s remarks suggest a shift, however subtle, in tone from his historically staunch pro-Israel stance. In recent days, he has urged Israel to “finish the job” in Gaza, referring to efforts to dismantle Hamas. Still, he acknowledged the complexity of the conflict and the growing difficulty of negotiating a ceasefire.
On Hostages and Ceasefire Prospects
Addressing the issue of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, Trump expressed skepticism about the prospects of their release. He claimed that Hamas is using the dwindling number of remaining hostages as a “shield,” making negotiations increasingly difficult.
“I’ve always said, when the number of hostages drops to 20, they won’t release them it becomes a shield, which is very unfair,” he said. “Many of the hostages have already died. Something needs to be done.”
Despite the grim assessment, Trump expressed cautious optimism about a possible ceasefire. “I do believe a ceasefire is possible,” he said before heading into his meeting with Starmer. “We’ll be talking a lot behind closed doors about Gaza and the humanitarian aspects of the crisis.”
International Pressure Mounts
Trump’s statements add to a growing international chorus urging immediate attention to the human cost of the war in Gaza. While U.S. and European leaders continue to balance strategic alliances with Israel against rising public outrage over civilian casualties and famine conditions, Trump’s remarks though measured, highlight the growing political urgency surrounding the issue.
Whether Trump’s words will translate into concrete policy recommendations or influence future U.S. positions remains to be seen. But his decision to address the humanitarian crisis directly, and to contradict Netanyahu publicly, marks a notable moment in the evolving international response to the war in Gaza.
