Donald Trump says EU nations will contribute to Gaza aid for 'very hungry' Palestinian children
Speaking on a trip to his golf course Turnberry, in Scotland, Mr Trump said the United States had provided $US 60 million for humanitarian aid, and other nations would need to contribute more.
He suggested he disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assessment that there was no starvation in Gaza, and added the UK and European Union would be expected to bolster aid efforts.
"The United States just a couple of weeks ago, we gave $60 million — that's a lot of money. No other nation gave money," Mr Trump said while standing alongside Mr Starmer in Scotland on Monday.
"Nobody said even 'thank you'. Other nations are going to have to step up."
The US president said he had spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who had confirmed that the EU plans to increase its aid into Gaza "substantially".
When asked if he agrees with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assessment that there was no starvation in Gaza, Mr Trump said: "Based on television, I would say not particularly because those children looked very hungry.
"Nobody's done anything great over there, the whole place is a mess," Mr Trump said.
More than 100 humanitarian agencies have previously warned Palestinians in Gaza face mass starvation, while Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid had fuelled shortages of food and other supplies.
Israel denies that its actions have caused a starvation crisis — instead blaming Hamas for the situation.
Palestinian health authorities say 133 people have died from starvation in the last week, including at least 87 children.
Mr Trump said on Monday that he had talked to Israeli officials and told them they may need to do things in Gaza in a different way.
The comments from the US president came after he had earlier suggested Hamas had changed its stance on negotiations to seek the release of the 50 Israeli hostages the group still held captive in exchange for a ceasefire in the war-ravaged strip.
"They had a routine discussion the other day and all of a sudden [Hamas] hardened up," he said.
"They don't want to give them back and so Israel's going to have to make a decision."
Ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas have collapsed, with the White House's special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff saying the militant group displayed a "lack of desire to reach" a deal.
ABC/Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia news LIVE: Burke vows to protect Australians from Middle East tension; Trump to hike tariffs on India amid Russia links
Latest posts Latest posts 6.47am Trump to hike tariffs on India for buying Russian oil By Michael Koziol US President Donald Trump says he will hike tariffs on India from their already-high level of 25 per cent due to the country's ongoing purchases of Russian oil amid the war against Ukraine. In a sign of the strained relations between the two countries, India quickly branded Trump's move 'unjustified and unreasonable', and said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its economic security. The threat, which has not yet been acted on, underlines Trump's preference for using tariffs for geopolitical leverage, and comes as his deadline looms for commitments from Russia's Vladimir Putin on ending the war, which has now raged for three-and-a-half years. There have been mixed reports about India's intentions over the past week as the US stepped up pressure on the world's most populous nation to back away from its reliance on Russian crude oil, which now accounts for about a third of India's supplies. 6.44am Tesla grants Musk $46 billion stock award Tesla approved an interim stock award worth about $US30 billion ($46 billion) for chief executive officer Elon Musk, a massive payout meant to keep the billionaire's attention on the automaker as a legal fight over a 2018 pay package drags on. The new agreement includes 96 million shares of the automaker that will vest if Musk continues to serve in the top post for another two years, the company said in a regulatory filing. The restricted stock has an exercise price of $US23.34, equal to the price in the prior compensation plan. The move underscores Musk's grip on the company, even as it struggles with falling electric vehicle sales and a slumping stock price. The world's richest person has said he wants a greater stake in Tesla as he reorients it around futuristic pursuits including artificial intelligence and driverless vehicles. 6.39am What's making news today By Daniel Lo Surdo Hello and welcome to the national news live blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I'll be helming our live coverage this morning. Here's what is making news today: Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has vowed to protect Australians from the 'tinderbox' of tension stemming from debate about the Middle East, saying he was blocking visas for potentially divisive visitors at an unprecedented rate. In an interview with this masthead, Burke said he 'did not care' if he was accused of stymying debate about controversial issues in favour of protecting social cohesion. US President Donald Trump says he will hike tariffs on India from their already-high level of 25 per cent due to the country's ongoing purchases of Russian oil amid the war against Ukraine. India quickly branded Trump's move, a threat that has not yet been acted on, 'unjustified and unreasonable', and said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its economic security. The Australian sharemarket is set to grow on Tuesday, after Wall Street recovered much of the sharp losses incurred following Trump's latest tariff announcement last week. Trump has been critical of the US Federal Reserve, which has kept interest rates unchanged amid concerns about the impact of Trump's tariff agenda on prices for American households.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Benjamin Netanyahu initiates complete Israeli military takeover of Gaza to pressure Hamas on hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full military occupation of Gaza, escalating the conflict in the Palestinian territory amid efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Mr Netanyahu informed ministers on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that he plans to seek cabinet approval for the move, despite rising opposition from within the Israel Defence Forces and former military leaders, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hebrew media. A senior official close to Mr Netanyahu told Ynet, 'The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.' Currently, Israeli forces control approximately 75 per cent of Gaza, but this new order would lead to the takeover of the remaining areas as operations intensify to rescue hostages believed to be held in those locations, reported the Jerusalem Post. The decision reportedly came without consultation with the Israeli military's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who was told to comply with the directive or resign, according to an internal memo. This military escalation follows disturbing footage released by Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, showing two Israeli hostages in visibly weakened states, deeply shocking Israel. Of the 251 people taken during Hamas's October 2023 assault on Israel, 49 remain captive in Gaza, including 27 who are presumed dead. Footage showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David marking days on a calendar inside a Gaza tunnel confirmed his continued captivity. David, who turned 24 while in captivity, was abducted during the initial Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Senior Israeli officials who discussed the occupation plan alongside Mr Netanyahu believe Hamas will only release the remaining hostages if they are forced to surrender. Channel 12 quoted officials who said, 'If we do not act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas control.' US President Donald Trump and Mr Netanyahu are reportedly coordinating to present Hamas with an ultimatum: release the hostages and disarm, or face a sustained Israeli military campaign. This development comes as 19 retired Israeli leaders, including former prime minister and IDF chief Ehud Barak, issued a video appeal over the weekend urging Mr Netanyahu to end the war. They criticised the ongoing campaign, blaming the Prime Minister for prolonging the conflict to maintain his fragile right-wing coalition. 'We are on the precipice of defeat,' said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, reflecting on the growing international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'What the world sees today is of our own creation,' he added, referencing images of starvation and suffering among Gaza's children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the focus should remain on the hostages at an upcoming United Nations Security Council session. 'The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and centre on the world stage,' Mr Saar said at a press briefing. 'I will head to New York tonight to participate in a special UN Security Council session that I initiated, taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) on the situation of the hostages,' he added. The situation remains highly volatile as international and domestic pressures mount on Mr Netanyahu's Government while Israeli forces move to complete their control over Gaza.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Trump threatens steeper India tariffs over Russian oil
Donald Trump says he will substantially raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, while New Delhi says it will take measures to safeguard its interests and calls its targeting by the US president "unjustified." Trump said last week Washington was still negotiating with India on trade after announcing the US would impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from the country starting last Friday. India has faced pressure from the West, including the US, to distance itself from Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. New Delhi has resisted that pressure, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and economic needs. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA." He did not elaborate on what the tariff would be. Over the weekend, two Indian government sources told Reuters that India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite Trump's threats. The sources did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. Washington has cited geopolitical disagreements with India to explain why it has not yet been able to reach a trade deal with New Delhi. Other than India's ties with Russia, Trump has cast the BRICS group of developing nations - of which India is a key part - as hostile to the US Those nations have dismissed that accusation, saying the group promotes the interests of its members and of developing countries at large. A spokesperson for India's foreign ministry said India will "take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security." "In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable," the spokesperson added. India began importing oil from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, the Indian statement said. The spokesperson said India's imports were meant to ensure affordable energy costs for Indian consumers and were a "necessity compelled by global market situation." The statement also noted the West's, particularly the European Union's, bilateral trade with Russia: "It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia." India also has been frustrated by Trump repeatedly taking credit for an India-Pakistan ceasefire that he announced on social media on May 10. The ceasefire halted days of hostilities between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbours. India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their issues directly without outside involvement. Trump has reached a trade deal with Pakistan. Elsewhere, Switzerland is ready to make a "more attractive offer" in trade talks with Washington, its government said on Monday, following a crisis meeting aimed at averting a 39 per cent tariff on Swiss goods that threatens to hammer its export-driven economy. The Federal Council - the country's governing cabinet - said it was determined to pursue discussions with the United States, if necessary beyond the August 7 deadline that President Trump has set for the tariff to come into effect. "Switzerland enters this new phase ready to present a more attractive offer, taking US concerns into account and seeking to ease the current tariff situation," it said in a statement. Switzerland counts the US as its top export market for pharmaceuticals, watches, machinery and chocolates.
