Trump: Gaza war isn’t a genocide, but ‘people need to be fed’

President Trump urges more aid for Gaza civilians, saying that Israel is responsible for “getting them fed.”

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump said the current humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip does not indicate genocidal intent by Israel, but he emphasized that he is urging the Jewish state to allow more humanitarian aid into the embattled coastal enclave.

When asked by reporters on Sunday whether he believes the ongoing war in Gaza constitutes a genocide, Trump replied that he does not.

“They’re in a war,” Trump said, referencing the “pretty horrible things” that occurred on October 7, which triggered the military conflict.

Trump reiterated his view that Gazans suffering from malnutrition need additional aid and that it is Israel’s responsibility to ensure food reaches the civilian population.

“We want the people fed… We want Israel to get them fed,” Trump said. “We don’t want people going hungry, and we don’t want people to starve.”

Last week, Trump publicly challenged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that there is no widespread starvation in Gaza. Speaking at a press conference in the United Kingdom, Trump pointed to television coverage as evidence.

“Based on television,” the Gaza “children look very hungry,” Trump said. “Some of those kids are — that’s real starvation stuff. I see it, and you can’t fake that.”

When asked whether Israel had done enough to prevent civilian casualties, Trump avoided defending Jerusalem’s military strategy.

“Nobody’s done anything great over there. The whole place is a mess,” he said. “I told Israel maybe they have to do it a different way.”

However, Trump did acknowledge that humanitarian aid is often diverted by Hamas, which governs the Strip.

The U.S. has “given a lot of money to Gaza for food and everything else. A lot of that money is stolen by Hamas, and a lot of that food is stolen,” he added.