By Evgenia Filimianova
President Donald Trump said on July 28 that the United States will establish food centers in Gaza that will not be surrounded by fences, in a bid to address the growing humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave.
Speaking during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump said the centers would be part of a cooperative international effort.
Trump said the food distribution points would be freely accessible to civilians, without physical barriers.
“We’re going to set up food centers where the people can walk in and no boundaries; we’re not going to have fences,” Trump told reporters.
He said the United States could contribute up to $60 million toward the effort, noting that he hoped the food would reach those in need and not be intercepted by the Hamas terrorist group.
“We want to help. It’s a terrible situation,” Trump said.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated sharply in recent months, with the United Nations on July 28 warning that “vast amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine and a catastrophic health crisis.”
International organizations, including U.N. agencies, have refused to participate in a U.S.-backed aid initiative led by Israel, known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), citing worries over civilian safety and the foundation’s military ties.
Trump confirmed that the GHF, which has been distributing aid in the enclave since May, would be part of the new initiative.
“It’s going to be working with the United States. Will be helping with the food. Lot of access to food. We got a lot of food ourselves, and we’re going to bring it up and make sure that they don’t have barriers stopping people,” he said.
Speaking ahead of the press conference, Trump said he did not agree with claims that there was no starvation in Gaza.
He said that, in his view, some of the children were experiencing what he described as “real starvation” and that such suffering could not be faked. He said the United States would become even more involved in the humanitarian response.
Israel maintains that there is no starvation in Gaza.
Aid Delivery
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it conducted an airdrop of 20 food aid packages over northern and southern Gaza on July 28.
The effort, in coordination with the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, follows a pause in military operations in Gaza to allow for the increased delivery of humanitarian aid.
In addition to airdrops, aid reaches Gaza through tightly controlled crossings in Rafah and Kerem Shalom. On July 28, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency urged the opening of all crossings and a surge in deliveries, saying 500 to 600 trucks of essentials are needed daily to prevent worsening starvation.
Trump said that the European Union and the UK will be among the nations to join the U.S.-led effort.
“So we have a good group of countries that are going to help with the humanitarian needs, which is food, sanitation, and some other things,” he said.
Starmer thanked Trump for his role in cease-fire talks and aid efforts in Gaza, noting U.S. contributions and the UK’s cooperation with Jordan to deliver direct assistance.
Hostage Crisis and Broader Challenges
Trump also addressed the issue of hostages held by Hamas, calling it a major obstacle to resolving the conflict.
“Hamas has become very difficult to deal with in the last couple of days,” Trump said, noting that the terrorist group refuses to give up these last 20 hostages.
Referring to discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the two leaders are working on plans to resolve what he said was a “very difficult situation.”
Trump also said Israel bears significant responsibility for the situation, noting that its actions are constrained by concerns for the remaining hostages it hopes to keep alive and secure.
“I think Israel can do a lot,” Trump said.
Israel has pledged to continue its fight to release the remaining hostages and eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, which attacked locations in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign citizens and kidnapping 251.
