Egypt Daily News – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for increased international humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, describing the situation there as “extremely dire,” with civilians “suffering from hunger.” His remarks come amid mounting global concern over the deteriorating conditions in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Speaking at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, Trump confirmed that the United States has delivered $60 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza over the past week. However, he expressed frustration that the aid had gone “unacknowledged.”
“We haven’t seen any gratitude for what we’ve provided,” Trump said, emphasizing the urgency of securing the release of hostages held in Gaza, which he described as a top priority for his administration. “We want the hostages back, and we are working on it,” he added, without elaborating on specific diplomatic or intelligence efforts.
Trump also stressed the need for Israel to make a clear decision about Gaza’s future. “I don’t know what’s going to happen there,” he said, suggesting that the uncertainty surrounding the enclave’s governance and reconstruction efforts remains a key geopolitical concern.
In a pointed appeal to the international community, Trump urged other nations to take a more active role in supporting Gaza’s civilian population. “Other countries must step up. This is not a burden the United States can or should carry alone,” he said, noting he would soon speak with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to coordinate positions on the crisis.
A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolding
Trump’s remarks follow a report by The Washington Post, which quoted White House officials saying that he was “deeply disturbed” after viewing images documenting the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to the report, the former president referred to the situation as “catastrophic and unacceptable,” and insisted that urgent international action was needed to prevent further deterioration.
In response, Trump reportedly instructed his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to explore new approaches to delivering aid, amid growing challenges facing traditional United Nations relief efforts. Sources said the administration is considering a new initiative called the Global Relief Fund, a U.S.- and Israeli-backed mechanism intended to bypass existing UN aid channels, which Israel has long accused of mismanagement and susceptibility to interference by Hamas.
A senior White House official told the Post that the proposed fund would allow vetted international partners to distribute food and medical supplies directly, potentially enhancing transparency and efficiency. The initiative is being pitched as a politically viable alternative to UNRWA and other UN-affiliated aid programs that Israel has sought to limit or dismantle.
A Shift in Trump’s Middle East Focus?
While Trump has largely avoided public statements on Gaza in recent weeks, insiders suggest the worsening conditions and their political implications have begun to shift his stance, echoing previous pivots he made on issues like the war in Ukraine. With a potential return to the White House looming in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, Trump’s handling of high-stakes international crises is once again under close scrutiny.
Observers note that Trump’s latest comments appear aimed at balancing support for Israel’s security interests with growing domestic and international demands for humanitarian accountability.
As the crisis in Gaza deepens with hospitals overwhelmed, food insecurity rising, and infrastructure on the brink of collapse calls are mounting for coordinated international action. Whether the former president’s appeals will lead to meaningful new initiatives remains to be seen, but they mark a notable re-entry into one of the region’s most volatile and urgent humanitarian challenges.
