July 29, 2025: As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches a breaking point, U.S. President Donald Trump has made an urgent call for a shift in strategy, acknowledging the growing famine-like conditions and pressing Israel to adopt a different approach in its war-torn neighbor.
“People in Gaza need food and safety right now,” Trump said during a press briefing. “Maybe they have to do it in a different way.” His remarks came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly dismissed the notion of starvation in Gaza—a claim Trump subtly challenged.
“I don’t know. Based on television, I would say not particularly [agree], because those children look very hungry,” the President noted, diverging from the Israeli narrative.
Clashing Views on Gaza’s Hunger Crisis
Trump’s remarks have added a fresh layer of tension between Washington and Tel Aviv. While Netanyahu maintains that there is no famine, Trump’s comments reflect a growing chorus of global concern over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron, UN officials, and numerous aid agencies have warned of catastrophic starvation, particularly among children. Trump echoed similar concerns, saying, “Nobody’s done anything great over there. The whole place is a mess.”
Despite his frustration with both sides, Trump confirmed ongoing discussions with Netanyahu over “various plans” to rescue hostages still held by Hamas, while criticizing the overall handling of the war and humanitarian fallout.
Rising Death Toll from Starvation
According to Gaza’s health ministry, 14 more people have died in the past 24 hours from starvation and malnutrition, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths to 147 since the war began—88 of them children.
The broader death toll from the conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, is now approaching 60,000. Humanitarian organizations estimate that nearly 470,000 people are living in famine-like conditions, with 90,000 women and children urgently needing nutritional aid.
“In this moment, children are dying every single day from starvation and preventable disease,” said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. “Time has run out.”
Israel’s New Humanitarian Measures Under Scrutiny
Facing mounting global pressure, Israel has announced new aid corridors and pauses in military operations, including 10-hour daily humanitarian windows and safe routes for aid trucks. Airdrops and deliveries have resumed, with over 120 truckloads of aid reportedly entering Gaza on Sunday.
A spokesperson from COGAT, Israel’s agency managing aid logistics, confirmed the increase but acknowledged that desperation on the ground is leading to looting and chaos.
“Aid comes for the strong who can race ahead,” said Emad, a former factory owner from Gaza City. “We need an organized system. That chaos must be stopped.”
Despite these measures, the World Food Programme (WFP) says that 170,000 metric tons of food remain stuck at the border, enough to feed Gaza’s population for three months—if permission for full delivery is granted.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
For the people of Gaza, the reality is grim. Wessal Nabil, a mother of three in Beit Lahiya, described how she tries to calm her hungry children each night.
“When you go to bed hungry, you wake up hungry. We distract them with anything—stories, songs—just to quiet their cries.”
She made a direct appeal to the world: “To those with merciful hearts, please look at us with compassion. Help us before it’s too late.”
A UN spokesperson said Israel had agreed to a one-week scale-up in humanitarian access, but aid groups are pushing for a longer pause or full ceasefire.
The Political Tensions Behind the Crisis
Israel originally blocked aid shipments in March, intending to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Crossings reopened in May, but strict limitations remain. While Israel insists it complies with international law, Hamas accuses it of weaponizing hunger—a charge echoed by several global human rights watchdogs.
With famine intensifying and international concern growing, Trump’s statements signal a possible shift in U.S. posture—one that might push Israel toward further humanitarian concessions.
Whether that shift turns into policy—or becomes a turning point in the conflict—remains to be seen. What is undeniable, however, is that Gaza’s civilians continue to pay the highest price.
