On Sunday, President Trump addressed claims that Hamas is stealing food meant for the people of Gaza, emphasizing that he had raised this issue with reporters several times, particularly during the region’s ongoing hunger crisis.
Trump’s comments came after he was asked about a poignant image of a hungry child in Gaza while he sat alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnbury, Scotland.
“When you see kids, especially with reports of people stealing food in recent weeks, it’s alarming. They’re taking money intended for food, stealing weapons—you name it,” Trump remarked.
He characterized the situation as chaotic, discussing how the Gaza Strip had been offered opportunities for peace in the past that hadn’t materialized successfully.
Contrarily, Israeli military sources stated there is no evidence that Palestinian extremist groups are systematically pilfering aid.
On Sunday morning, Israeli forces announced they would implement a “tactical pause” in combat operations in Gaza due to significant concerns regarding hunger.
In his recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump mentioned that he urged for more US assistance to Gaza and to collaborate with other nations, which he indicated was part of his discussion with von der Leyen.
He reiterated his assertion about Hamas stealing food, adding, “This isn’t just a US issue; it’s an international problem.”
“Without our involvement, I think people would truly be starving. They might not eat well as it is, but a large portion of the food is being taken by Hamas. They’re outright stealing it,” he asserted.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also echoed claims about food theft by Hamas during an NBC appearance, while Israeli officials, including an ambassador, argued that Hamas had stolen a “massive amount” of supplies since the conflict erupted on October 7.
Trump claimed that the US provided $60 million in aid to Gaza two weeks prior but lamented that “no one has even acknowledged it.” He expressed a sense of frustration that this effort wasn’t being discussed and remarked, “It feels somewhat sickening, especially since other countries contribute so little.”
As for the future of the Israeli-Hamas situation, Trump noted that the decision rests with Israel. “What will happen next? Honestly, I’m not sure. Israel needs to determine its path forward. I have some ideas, but it’s not really my place to say,” he stated.
Last week, the Trump administration exited the Gaza ceasefire discussions, asserting that Hamas had failed to engage honestly, with special envoy Steve Witkov indicating that alternative strategies are under consideration to ensure the release of hostages and manage future governance in the area.
