President Trump blasted the European Union on Monday, saying its members need to “step up” as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens by the minute.
He also faulted the Palestinians for not thanking the U.S. for sending millions of dollars of aid into Gaza.
The president’s comments came as he greeted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Turnberry, Scotland.
Hospitals in Gaza have recorded 14 deaths in the past 24 hours due to starvation or malnutrition, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. On Monday, the head of the United Nations’ aid distribution warned that the coming days will “make or break” humanitarian efforts in Gaza as aid slowly trickles in amid Israel’s pause in military operations.
Mr. Trump said the U.S. would be getting more involved by setting up “food centers” in Gaza. However, he did not provide specifics on whether the U.S. would be involved on the ground or if a third-party organization would assist. He suggested that it would be a joint effort with other nations, but offered few details.
“We’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people and we’re going to supply funds … and other nations are joining us,” Mr. Trump said alongside Mr. Starmer. “I know your nation’s joining us and we have all of the other European nations joining us and others also called and they want to be helpful. So we’re going to set up food centers where people can walk in and no boundaries. We’re not going to have fences.”
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Mr. Starmer called the situation an “absolute catastrophe.”
However, Mr. Trump also hit back at Palestinians, saying the U.S. has seen little support from leaders in the Gaza enclave for its efforts. He said the U.S. forked over millions of dollars of aid with little thanks or assurance that the money was going where it was intended.
“Just a couple of weeks ago, we gave $60 million — that’s a lot of money. No other nation gave money,” Mr. Trump said. “Nobody said, even, thank you, but other nations are going to have to step up.”
He said that when he met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, she told him that European nations are “going to step up very substantially.”
Ahead of their meeting, Mr. Starmer made it clear that he plans to raise a British-led peace deal for Gaza. The plan was discussed by Mr. Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. A spokesman for Mr. Starmer said the prime minister will pitch the plan to “the U.S. and Arab states” and at an emergency meeting of his Cabinet later this week. Details of the plan have not been made public.
Mr. Trump said he would not take a position on recognizing a Palestinian state, something Mr. Starmer has floated in recent days.
“I don’t mind him taking a position,” Mr. Trump said. “I’m looking to get people fed right now. Because you have a lot of starving people.”
Asked if he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said Sunday that there was no starvation in Gaza, Mr. Trump responded, “Not particularly.”
Mr. Trump said that Israel “has a lot of responsibility” for what is happening in Gaza, but also acknowledged that the country is hampered by considerations of the remaining hostages it wants to see kept alive and freed.
“I think Israel can do a lot,” Mr. Trump said without offering more information.
“Those children look very hungry,” he said, referring to images from Gaza.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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