US president vows to “get people fed” in Gaza amid starvation crisis

US President Donald Trump confirmed that he is working on a humanitarian plan aimed at addressing the deepening food crisis in Gaza, emphasizing his desire to deliver tangible aid to civilians amid mounting international scrutiny over Israel’s blockade of the war-torn enclave.

In a brief phone interview with Axios, Trump expressed his concern over reports of widespread hunger and malnutrition among Gazan civilians, stating: "We want to help people. We want to help them live. We want to get people fed. It is something that should have happened long time ago."

Although he acknowledged the urgent need for humanitarian relief, Trump attributed part of the crisis to alleged misconduct by Hamas. He claimed the group has been “stealing and then selling aid” that enters Gaza, a statement consistent with earlier criticisms voiced by his administration regarding the management of international aid flows.

The president’s remarks came just hours after White House envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee conducted a field visit to Gaza, where they assessed aid distribution centers operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a US and Israeli-backed organization operating primarily in southern and central Gaza.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had announced that Trump would finalize an updated Gaza aid strategy following Witkoff’s trip and subsequent debrief. "The special envoy and the ambassador will brief the president immediately after their visit to approve a final plan for food and aid distribution into the region," Leavitt said.

Trump, however, noted in the morning of August 1 that he had not yet received a full briefing from Witkoff, though he praised the envoy’s efforts, stating Witkoff was “doing great work.” Trump declined to offer details about his aid plan or whether it would expand support for GHF or consider alternative humanitarian delivery mechanisms.

The humanitarian visit comes amid intensified global criticism of Israel’s restrictions on aid access to Gaza and its reliance on GHF—a channel that has been faulted for operating in limited zones and requiring Palestinians to make perilous journeys to access food.

On July 31, Witkoff also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss not only the humanitarian crisis but also the ongoing impasse in ceasefire and hostage negotiations. According to an Israeli official, they discussed the possibility of shifting from a fragmented Gaza strategy toward a more comprehensive agreement. Asked to comment on the matter, Trump told Axios, “you will see soon.”

By Vafa Guliyeva