U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that there is “real starvation” in Gaza and announced plans for the United States to set up food centres across the war-torn territory. Speaking from Scotland following talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump acknowledged the humanitarian crisis, stating that many children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition and starvation. “Some of those kids — that’s real starvation stuff,” he said, confirming that food distribution centres would be established with no boundaries or fences to ensure unimpeded access for all civilians.
As the ongoing war in Gaza enters its second year, the death toll has surpassed 60,000, with at least 147 people—88 of them children—confirmed to have died from starvation or malnutrition, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, and the images of emaciated children have triggered global outrage and increased pressure on Israel.
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Trump’s comments challenge recent statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted that “there is no starvation in Gaza.” However, Trump emphasized that Israel bears significant responsibility for the crisis, especially in managing aid flows into the besieged territory. “You have a lot of starving people,” he added, reaffirming America’s commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid, including food, water, and sanitation support, in collaboration with other nations.
Despite international appeals, Israel has imposed tight restrictions on aid entry into Gaza. Over the weekend, it announced limited humanitarian pauses, the establishment of safe corridors, and several aid airdrops following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. However, humanitarian organizations argue these measures are inadequate to address the vast scale of the crisis.
The World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that nearly 470,000 people in Gaza are experiencing famine-like conditions, including 90,000 women and children who urgently need therapeutic nutrition. The WFP reported dispatching only 60 trucks of aid—far below the daily target of 100. “At this time, children are dying every single day from starvation, from preventable disease. So time has run out,” said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. He described the crisis as “manmade by Israel from A to Z.”
The situation on the ground remains desperate. Aid distribution is chaotic, often favouring those strong enough to push through crowds to secure food parcels. Many vulnerable people, including the elderly and injured, are unable to access assistance. Emad, a 58-year-old former factory owner from Gaza City, said the system only benefits the physically strong. Wessal Nabil from Beit Lahiya echoed the concern, describing her family’s inability to obtain food due to her husband’s injury.
The WFP confirmed that it currently has 170,000 metric tons of food stockpiled in the surrounding region, sufficient to feed the entire population of Gaza for three months. However, clearance from Israeli authorities remains the primary obstacle. Israel had previously halted aid into Gaza in March, citing pressure tactics on Hamas to release hostages. Aid was partially resumed in May under stricter controls, but humanitarian organizations accuse Israel of using hunger as a weapon in the conflict.
As pressure mounts from global institutions and humanitarian agencies, Trump’s vow to create accessible food centres marks a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the Gaza crisis. Whether this intervention will lead to real relief remains to be seen, but the urgency is undeniable as starvation claims more lives each day.
