President Donald Trump said on Monday the number‑one priority in Gaza must be getting food to its starving people, noting the United States has committed $60 million in humanitarian aid and urging other nations to step up their contributions.
Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his Turnberry golf resort, Trump said he had discussed the crisis with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who promised European countries would “step up very substantially” their assistance. He added that he planned further talks with Starmer on the humanitarian situation.
“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.”
Starmer agreed, calling the situation “an absolute catastrophe” and saying people in Britain were “revolted” by what they saw.
On Palestinian statehood, Trump declined to comment on French President Emmanuel Macron’s push for recognition. He also criticized Hamas for refusing to release more hostages and said he had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel might need to rethink its approach.
Asked if a ceasefire was still possible, Trump said, “Yeah, a ceasefire is possible, but you have to end it,” without offering details.
Gaza’s health ministry reported at least 14 deaths from starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the hunger‑related death toll to 147, including 89 children. UN agencies warn that famine‑like conditions persist despite Israeli measures such as daily humanitarian pauses and new aid corridors.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected accusations of a starvation policy, calling them “bald‑faced lies.”