On Monday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States intends to establish “food centers” in Gaza to help alleviate the worsening hunger crisis gripping the conflict-stricken Palestinian territory.
Speaking to journalists in Scotland, where he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump stated, “We’re going to set up food centers where the people can walk in — and no boundaries. We’re not going to have fences.”
At the same press conference, Starmer affirmed his agreement with US President Trump on the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, and they discussed a post-aid delivery plan.
Trump emphasized that the paramount concern in Gaza was feeding the populace, citing “a lot of starving people,” and added that he would not, at present, take a stance on Palestinian statehood.
He mentioned that the United States had contributed $60 million for humanitarian aid, urging other nations to increase their contributions.
US President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Trump Turnberry golf club on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain. — Reuters
Trump also revealed that he had discussed the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, who assured him that European countries would significantly bolster their assistance.
He further indicated his plan to discuss the humanitarian situation with Starmer during his visit on Monday.
“We’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food, and a lot of everything,” Trump asserted. “It’s a mess. They have to get food and safety right now.”
Starmer concurred, remarking: “It’s a humanitarian crisis, right? It’s an absolute catastrophe…. I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they’re seeing on their screen.”
The UK Prime Minister characterized the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “absolutely intolerable” and stressed the urgent need to expedite food aid into the enclave.
Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City, July 28, 2025. — Reuters
“We need to galvanize other countries in support of getting that aid in, and yes, that does involve putting pressure on Israel, because it absolutely is a humanitarian catastrophe,” he added.
Trump declined to comment on French President Emmanuel Macron’s push to support Palestinian statehood.
Trump also criticized Hamas for its refusal to release additional hostages, both living and deceased. He stated that he had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel’s approach would likely need to change.
“I told Bibi that you have to maybe do it a different way,” Trump said, reiterating similar remarks made on Sunday.
When questioned about the possibility of a ceasefire, Trump responded, “Yeah, a ceasefire is possible, but you have to get it, you have to end it.” He did not elaborate on this statement.
Israeli soldiers speak with a Palestinian woman, outside of Jenin camp, during an Israeli military operation, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, July 8, 2025. — Reuters
Trump underscored the critical importance of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, noting that the Palestinian group had altered its position and was now refusing to release more hostages.
Hamas has previously expressed its willingness to release hostages as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
The group submitted its response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal on Thursday during talks in Doha. Hours later, Israel withdrew its delegation from the negotiations.
On Sunday, Trump had stated that Israel would need to make a decision on its next steps, adding, “I know what I’d do, but I don’t think it’s appropriate that I say it.”
Over the weekend, Israel conducted an aid air-drop and announced a series of measures to improve humanitarian access, including daily humanitarian pauses in three areas of Gaza and new safe corridors for convoys. However, UN agencies maintain that these measures are not yet sufficient to alleviate the famine-like conditions facing Gazans.
Displaced Palestinians who have not received humanitarian aid gather as they survive on leftover food, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza, July 28, 2025. — Reuters
On Monday, the Gaza health ministry reported that at least 14 individuals had succumbed to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll from hunger in the war to 147, including 89 children, with the majority of these deaths occurring in just the last few weeks.
Israel ceased all supplies to Gaza from the beginning of March, reopening the territory with new restrictions in May. Israel asserts it adheres to international law, but must prevent aid diversion by militants, and attributes the suffering of Gaza’s population to Hamas.
