KEY POINTS
- Trump announces plans to set up open-access food centres in Gaza.
- Israeli strikes kill at least 65 people, including 23 aid seekers, in Gaza on Monday.
- Starmer and Trump call for ceasefire, label Gaza’s humanitarian crisis an “absolute catastrophe.”
- 14 more die of starvation, bringing Gaza’s hunger-related death toll to 147, including 89 children.
TURNBERRY, United Kingdom: US President Donald Trump said Monday there were signs of “real starvation” in Gaza, as the humanitarian crisis worsens amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive.
Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, at least 59,921 people have been killed and 145,233 wounded, according to the territory’s health ministry.
On Monday, Israeli strikes killed at least 65 people across the Palestinian enclave, including 23 humanitarian aid seekers, Al Jazeera reported, citing medical sources.
Speaking to the media in Scotland after a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump announced plans to establish open-access food centres in the besieged Palestinian territory to help alleviate growing hunger.
“I mean, some of those kids — that’s real starvation stuff,” Trump told reporters. “We’re going to set up food centres where the people can walk in — and no boundaries. We’re not going to have fences,” Trump said.
Gaza ceasefire
At the same press conference, Starmer said he and US President Trump agreed on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, and they discussed a plan for what happens after aid is delivered.
Trump said that the number one priority in Gaza was getting people fed, because “you have a lot of starving people”, adding that he was not going to take a position on Palestinian statehood at the moment.
He said the United States had provided $60 million for humanitarian aid, and other nations would have to step up.
Trump said he discussed the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, and she told him European countries would step up their assistance very substantially.
He said he also planned 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 other nations are now stepping up,” Trump said. “It’s a mess. They have to get food and safety right now.”
‘Absolute catastrophe’
Starmer agreed, saying: “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 PM described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “absolutely intolerable” and said food aid needs to be moved into the enclave quickly.
“We need to galvanise 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 said.
Trump said he would not comment on a push by French President Emmanuel Macron to back Palestinian statehood.
Trump also criticised Hamas for not agreeing to release more hostages, living and dead, and said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel’s approach would likely have to change.
“I told Bibi that you have to maybe do it a different way,” Trump said, echoing similar comments made on Sunday.
Asked if a ceasefire was still possible, Trump said, “Yeah, a ceasefire is possible, but you have to get it, you have to end it.” He did not elaborate on what he meant.
Starvation amid Israeli restrictions
Trump underscored the importance of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, saying the Palestinian group had changed its position and was refusing to release more hostages.
Hamas has said it is willing to release hostages under a ceasefire agreement with Israel.
It submitted its response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal on Thursday at talks in Doha. Hours later, Israel withdrew its delegation from the talks.
On Sunday, Trump said Israel would have to make a decision on next steps, adding, “I know what I’d do, but I don’t think it’s appropriate that I say it.”
On Monday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 14 people had died in the past 24 hours of starvation and malnutrition, bringing the war’s death toll from hunger to 147, including 89 children, most in just the last few weeks.
Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March, reopening the territory with new restrictions in May.
Israel says it abides by international law but must prevent aid from being diverted by militants, and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s people.
