URGENT UPDATE: US President Donald Trump has declared that addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is his top priority, stating, “You have a lot of starving people.” Speaking earlier today, October 30, 2023, alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, Trump emphasized the need for immediate food aid to those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Trump revealed that the United States has committed $60 million for humanitarian assistance, urging other nations to increase their support. He mentioned discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who assured him that European countries would significantly enhance their aid efforts.
“We’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food, and other nations are now stepping up,” Trump declared, highlighting the urgent need for relief as the situation in Gaza deteriorates. Starmer echoed this sentiment, describing the crisis as “an absolute catastrophe,” noting the outrage among the British public over the images of suffering emerging from the region.
While Trump refrained from commenting on a potential Palestinian statehood, he criticized the Hamas militant group for not releasing more hostages, stressing that their refusal complicates the situation further. He reiterated that Israel may need to alter its approach, stating, “I told Bibi that you have to maybe do it a different way,” referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
When asked about the possibility of a ceasefire, Trump responded, “Yeah, a ceasefire is possible but you have to get it, you have to end it.” He did not provide further details, leaving the situation unclear as diplomatic efforts continue amidst the chaos.
The humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, with the Gaza health ministry reporting at least 14 deaths in the last 24 hours due to starvation and malnutrition, pushing the total from hunger-related causes to 147, including 89 children. The ongoing conflict has led to dire famine-like conditions for residents, as humanitarian agencies call for urgent action.
Efforts by Israel to improve aid access, including daily humanitarian pauses and safe corridors for convoys, have been deemed insufficient by the United Nations. In a statement, Netanyahu asserted, “Israel is presented as though we are applying a campaign of starvation in Gaza. What a bald-faced lie. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza.”
As the situation develops, all eyes are on the negotiations between Hamas and Israel, with Hamas reportedly willing to release hostages under a ceasefire agreement. However, the dynamics remain tense as Israel withdrew its delegation from talks in Doha shortly after Hamas submitted its response to a US-backed proposal.
In these critical hours, the international community’s response will be pivotal. With humanitarian aid desperately needed and the conflict ongoing, the urgency for action has never been greater. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
