Trump Breaks with Netanyahu on Gaza Starvation, Announces U.S. Food Centers
President Acknowledges 'Real Starvation' Amid Growing International Pressure Over Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged Monday that Gaza faces "real starvation," directly contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that no starvation exists in the territory, and announced the United States will establish food centers inside Gaza to address what he described as an "unbearable" humanitarian crisis affecting 2.1 million Palestinians.
Speaking from his Turnberry resort in Scotland, Trump revealed the U.S. would create open-access facilities with "no boundaries" and "no fences" to deliver emergency food assistance, marking his most direct intervention in the Gaza humanitarian disaster since the war began 21 months ago.
'You Can't Fake That'
The president's announcement came as disturbing images of malnourished children circulated globally, prompting Trump to declare that the evidence of starvation was undeniable.
"That's real starvation stuff," Trump told reporters. "I see it, and you can't fake that. So, we're going to be even more involved."
When asked whether he agreed with Netanyahu's Sunday assertion that "there is no starvation in Gaza," Trump responded bluntly: "I don't know. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly, because those children look very hungry".
The president's remarks represented a striking departure from his previous reluctance to pressure Israel over humanitarian concerns, signaling growing U.S. frustration with the deteriorating conditions in Gaza.
Death Toll from Hunger Reaches Alarming Heights
Gaza health officials reported Monday that at least 14 people died from starvation and malnutrition in the previous 24 hours alone, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths during the conflict to 147, including 88 children. Most of these deaths have occurred in recent weeks as conditions have dramatically worsened.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health documented that more than 127 Palestinians have died from starvation since the conflict began, with 85 of those victims being children. These statistics underscore the disproportionate impact on Gaza's youngest residents in what aid organizations describe as a man-made famine.
"Nearly one in three people are going entire days without eating and more people are at risk of starvation," according to a recent UN assessment.
Children Bear Devastating Burden
International organizations report that a child dies in Gaza every 45 minutes, representing an average of 30 children killed daily over the past 535 days. Save the Children documented that children were killed or injured in more than half of all fatal attacks at food distribution sites since controversial aid distribution began four weeks ago.
The organization found that in 19 deadly incidents at aid sites, children were among the casualties in 10 of them, with some families so desperate that they sent children to collect food despite knowing the risks.
Trump Assigns Israel 'Lot of Responsibility' for Aid Flow
In a significant shift from his typical support for Israeli policies, Trump acknowledged that Israel bears substantial responsibility for the humanitarian crisis.
"I told Bibi that you have to maybe do it a different way," Trump said, referring to Netanyahu. The president emphasized that Israel "has a lot of responsibility" for the limits on aid entering Gaza.
Trump announced the U.S. would work with other nations to provide humanitarian assistance, stating: "We're going to supply funds... and we're going to spend a little money on some food. Other nations are joining us".
The president framed his intervention as directly addressing Palestinian suffering, declaring: "I'm looking to get people fed. Right now, to me, that's the number one position, because you have a lot of starving people".
UN Officials Warn of 'Make or Break' Moment
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher described the coming days as "make or break" for humanitarian operations in Gaza, despite Israel's announcement of limited humanitarian pauses.
"We have a plan," Fletcher told BBC Radio 4. "We can reach everyone in Gaza in the next couple of weeks with our aid, with lifesaving aid. We can save as many survivors as possible".
However, Fletcher emphasized that temporary measures remain insufficient: "Ultimately, we need a ceasefire. These pauses are a good step in the right direction, but stopping the conflict is key".
The UN reported that aid delivered over the weekend during an Israeli military pause in parts of Gaza was merely "a drop in the ocean" compared to what's needed to prevent famine.
Deadly Pattern at Aid Distribution Sites
The humanitarian crisis has been compounded by violence at aid distribution centers, where Palestinians face life-threatening conditions while seeking basic necessities. Recent incidents have highlighted the dangerous reality facing civilians attempting to access food assistance.
On Sunday, dozens of Palestinians were killed and injured while waiting to access food as a World Food Programme convoy entered northern Gaza. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has condemned Israeli aid distribution sites as "killing zones," characterizing them as part of what the organization terms a "forced starvation campaign".
Since late May, more than 1,000 people have been killed and over 7,000 injured while trying to access humanitarian aid, according to UN data. The ministry noted that casualties among people trying to access food supplies have increased to 773 fatalities and more than 5,101 injuries since May 27, 2025.
International Pressure Mounts for Sustained Access
European allies have intensified pressure on Israel to lift restrictions on aid flow. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement Friday urging Israel to "immediately lift barriers on the flow of aid" and fulfill its responsibilities under international humanitarian law.
"Withholding crucial humanitarian aid from the civilian population is unacceptable," the European nations declared.
Aid organizations report that, despite having more than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance ready outside Gaza's borders—enough to feed 1 million people for four months—the World Food Programme has only been able to bring in small amounts since aid resumed.
Medical System on Brink of Collapse
Gaza's healthcare infrastructure faces imminent shutdown as fuel stocks run out following a total ban on fuel entry for about 130 days. Hospitals struggle with shortages of antibiotics, gauze, and surgical tools while treating victims of both military attacks and malnutrition-related deaths.
Dr. Goher Rahbour, a surgeon in Khan Younis, emphasized the critical shortage of medical supplies: "There is a shortage of everything—antibiotics, gauze, surgical tools". The Red Cross field hospital has treated more than 2,200 patients with weapon wounds since May, surpassing the total for the entire 2024 year.
Economic Devastation Compounds Crisis
The ongoing blockade has created severe economic distortions, with basic commodities reaching astronomical prices. A 25-kilogram sack of wheat flour now costs between $235 and $520, representing a 3,000 percent price increase since February.
Before the recent escalation, approximately 500 trucks were crossing into Gaza daily. To address the extensive gaps created by the prolonged blockade, aid organizations now require thousands of trucks to satisfy the demand.
Trump's Previous Aid Commitments
The president revealed the U.S. had already provided $60 million in humanitarian assistance two weeks ago, though he expressed frustration about the lack of acknowledgment.
"You know, we gave $60 million two weeks ago and nobody even acknowledged it, for food," Trump said Sunday. "And you really want at least someone to say 'thank you'. No other countries gave anything. It makes you feel a little bad when nobody talks about it."
Trump's announcement of food centers represents a significant escalation in U.S. humanitarian involvement, coming as the Gaza crisis enters what many consider its most critical phase since the conflict began in October 2023.
The president's break with Netanyahu over the starvation crisis signals a potential shift in U.S.-Israel relations, even as Trump continues to blame Hamas for the collapse of ceasefire negotiations and maintains that resolving the hostage situation remains crucial to ending the conflict. With death tolls approaching 60,000 and humanitarian conditions deteriorating daily, Trump's intervention may represent a turning point in international efforts to address what aid officials now describe as a preventable catastrophe of historic proportions.