Trump calls Gaza crisis “Real Starvation Stuff,” wants to set up ‘Food Centers’ in Gaza
During his visit to Turnberry, Scotland, on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump called the humanitarian crisis in Gaza “real starvation stuff” and announced plans for the United States to establish food centers in the region. The initiative aims to address growing hunger and malnutrition amid Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid.
“We’re going to set up food centers, and we’re doing it with some very good people,” Trump told reporters. “We’ve got the funds—we’ve taken in trillions—and we’re going to spend a little on getting people food. Other nations are joining us, too.”
Trump emphasized that these centers would be open-access, without fences or barriers, allowing anyone in need to walk in freely. “It’s crazy that people are staring at food just behind a fence and can’t reach it,” he said.
While Trump has often pointed to Hamas as the main obstacle to aid distribution, on Monday, he acknowledged that Israel also bears responsibility. “Israel has a lot of responsibility here too,” he said, pushing for both humanitarian action and the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
“Hamas did horrible things on October 7. They’re using hostages as a shield,” he said. “If they release them, they lose their leverage. But if they wait too long, they won’t be able to make a deal anymore unless things turn very violent.”
Trump directly contradicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statement that there’s “no starvation in Gaza,” insisting, “That’s real starvation stuff. You can’t fake that. I see it.”
He described the desperation on the ground, referencing videos of Gaza people shouting for food just yards away from stocked trucks they cannot access. “They’re 35, 40 yards away from food, and still they’re not allowed in—because of lines, fences, and blockades. We need to remove those lines. We can save a lot of people.”
Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, where both leaders discussed the Gaza crisis. Trump stressed the urgency of feeding children and said, “This is terrible. We have to help, at least on a humanitarian basis.”
Describing efforts to locate the remaining hostages, Trump hinted at some progress but admitted the complexities of rescue operations. “In some cases, we know where they are. But when they’re being used as human shields, it’s tough.”
Despite the many challenges, Trump said plans are already in motion. “We’re coming up with various solutions with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We’re going to do something big—and we’re going to get food to the people who need it.”
