By Dayo Ade Olusola|M10news|World News|July 28, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump offered a stark visual impression of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a press appearance in Scotland, diverging from recent claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is no starvation in the war-torn enclave.
Speaking to reporters outside his Turnberry golf resort while meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump was asked directly whether he agreed with Netanyahu’s assertion that claims of famine in Gaza were exaggerated.
“I don’t know. I mean, based on television, I would say, not particularly, because those children look very hungry,” Trump responded, referencing recent footage of suffering civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Despite downplaying any specific intelligence or ground verification, the former president emphasised that the United States was playing a significant role in relief efforts. “But we’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food. And other nations are now stepping up. I know that this nation [the UK] is right here,” he added, gesturing toward the British delegation.
Trump acknowledged the need for more humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza and hinted at further international coordination. “More aid needs to get in,” he said. “We’ve done a lot on this.”
When pressed about Israel’s handling of civilian casualties amid the ongoing conflict, Trump was blunt in his assessment. “I think nobody’s done anything great over there – the whole place is a mess.”
The former president’s call was clear: “There needs to be food and safety right now.”
Trump also addressed the prolonged hostage crisis involving Israeli nationals held by Hamas. He reiterated a long-held concern that the remaining captives—believed to number around 20—are being deliberately retained as leverage.
“I’ve always said that when you get down to the final 20, they [Hamas] won’t release them because that’s like their shield,” he told reporters. “Something’s going to have to be done.”
He continued by saying Hamas had “totally changed” in their posture, accusing the group of refusing to release not only the remaining hostages believed to be alive, but also the bodies of those who died while in captivity. “It’s very unfair,” Trump added.
In a notable shift in tone, Trump disclosed that he had recently offered personal advice to Netanyahu regarding Israel’s strategy. “I told Netanyahu, ‘you’re going to have to now maybe do it a different way,’” he said, suggesting a re-evaluation of current military or diplomatic efforts.
Despite earlier resistance to calls for de-escalation, Trump appeared to endorse a negotiated halt to the violence. “A ceasefire is possible,” he said. “You have to end it.”
Trump’s comments come amid growing international scrutiny of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid organisations have warned for months about widespread hunger, disease, and displacement. United Nations agencies and independent watchdogs have repeatedly cited access restrictions, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing hostilities as key barriers to aid distribution.
Israel has denied accusations that it is deliberately blocking food and medical supplies from entering Gaza, insisting that Hamas has diverted or obstructed many of the deliveries. Netanyahu, speaking earlier this week, maintained that there was “no starvation” in Gaza and accused media outlets of distorting the reality on the ground.
Trump’s televised remarks from Scotland, however, may complicate that narrative. By invoking the visible suffering of children in the region, the former president underscored the moral urgency of the situation, even while stopping short of directly criticising Israel’s actions.
While the Biden administration continues to support Israel’s right to self-defence, it has also faced increasing pressure from lawmakers and humanitarian advocates to secure a ceasefire and demand improved access for aid convoys.
Trump’s visit with Starmer marks his first in-person meeting with the new British prime minister since Labour’s landslide election victory. Their discussion reportedly covered trade, NATO contributions, and the Middle East crisis.
No joint statement was issued following the meeting, though Starmer’s office said both leaders had “frank and constructive” discussions regarding shared transatlantic challenges.
Trump, who remains the Republican Party’s leading contender for the 2024 presidential nomination, has stepped up his international engagements in recent weeks as he attempts to position himself as a statesman-in-waiting.
His remarks from Turnberry suggest that, despite his reputation for unpredictability, Trump is preparing to reassert himself on the global stage—with Gaza now firmly in his sights.
