Trump promises new plan to feed starving Gazans
US President Donald Trump on Friday pledged to launch a new initiative to address hunger in Gaza, saying he is 'working on a plan to get people fed,' amid growing concern over the humanitarian situation in the war-torn enclave.
In a brief phone call with Axios, Trump described the crisis relief as something that 'should have happened a long time ago,' accusing Hamas of stealing and selling humanitarian aid entering the enclave.
He declined to elaborate on the plan when pressed by Axios, and did not confirm whether it would involve expanded support for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) or introduce new delivery mechanisms.
The statement followed a visit by US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to aid distribution centers run by the GHF. In a post on X, Witkoff revealed he and Huckabee spent five hours inside Gaza to get 'a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.'
At @POTUS 's direction, @USAmbIsrael and I met yesterday with Israeli officials to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Today, we spent over five hours inside Gaza — level setting the facts on the ground, assessing conditions, and meeting with @GHFUpdates and other… pic.twitter.com/aCtLuMuhq1
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) August 1, 2025
Washington has faced mounting pressure to increase aid flows into the enclave, where starvation and malnutrition are rapidly worsening. The US-backed GHF has been criticized by international rights groups for operating only in select areas, forcing displaced Palestinians to travel long distances—often through active conflict zones—to access food.
Axios further pointed out that an Israeli official briefed reporters on Thursday about Witkoff's separate meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two discussed the current deadlock in ceasefire and hostage negotiations, and the possibility of moving toward a more comprehensive agreement with Hamas. Trump declined to comment on the outcome of that meeting, saying only, 'You will see soon.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
SDF captures suspected senior ISIS operative in Hasaka
Also in Syria Suspected ISIS attack injures three Asayish in east Syria UNSG urges calm amid renewed violence in northern, southern Syria State-affiliated factions, Kurdish-led forces clash again in northern Syria Civilian killed in 'terrorist cell' attack on Kurdish forces in Rojava A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Wednesday captured a suspected senior Islamic State (ISIS) official in northeast Syria's (Rojava) Hasaka city, with support from the US-led global coalition. The SDF, supported by the coalition, 'conducted a precise security operation in the city of Hasaka. The operation targeted a senior ISIS official responsible for the group's General Research Division in Syria, who was involved in identifying targets for terrorist attacks,' the People's Protection Units (YPG) - the SDF's backbone - said in a statement. The Kurdish-led and US-backed SDF, the de facto army of Rojava, has carried out numerous operations this year to counter what they say is a resurgence in ISIS activity, targeting both their forces and civilians. 'This mission reflects the continued efforts of the Syrian Democratic Forces to pursue ISIS remnants, dismantle their operational structures, and safeguard the region from terrorist threats,' the statement added. ISIS rose to power and seized swathes of Iraqi and Syrian land in a brazen offensive in 2014, declaring a so-called 'caliphate.' The SDF defeated the group in Syria in 2019 with the help of the US-led global coalition against ISIS. On Wednesday, at least one Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) member was injured in two separate suspected ISIS attacks in Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor province.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Hezbollah: Lebanese government arms plan serves Israel
Shafaq News – Beirut On Wednesday, Hezbollah rejected a Lebanese government plan to centralize all arms under state authority, describing the move as a 'grave mistake' that strips the country of its right to resist Israeli aggression and violates national commitments. In a statement, the Shiite group emphasized that the plan contradicts the government's own ministerial declaration, claiming it was influenced by 'dictates from US Envoy Tom Barrack.' Hezbollah also warned that the draft serves Israeli interests, leaving Lebanon exposed to attacks without an effective deterrent. 'We will treat this decision as if it does not exist,' the statement added. The Lebanese party reaffirmed its willingness to engage in dialogue on a national defense strategy, but stressed that such discussions cannot proceed amid ongoing Israeli attacks. The group also called for a broader approach that includes ending Israeli operations, reclaiming occupied Lebanese land, releasing detainees, rebuilding damaged areas, and safeguarding national sovereignty. Meanwhile, Amal Movement, a Shiite party allied with Hezbollah, accused the government of offering 'gratuitous concessions to Israel,'' arguing that the cabinet's stance goes against the President's oath and its ministerial declaration. The rejection followed a prolonged cabinet session. While Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delayed a final decision on the weapons issue until Thursday, he instructed the Lebanese Army to develop a plan detailing how arms would be placed under state control. The draft is expected to be submitted to the cabinet by the end of August. Violations of the US-brokered ceasefire, which took effect on November 27, 2024, have continued. Lebanese media reported on Wednesday that an 11-year-old boy died and his father sustained serious injuries after an Israeli drone strike hit their home's garage in the southern town of Touline. An Israeli drone has also dropped a stun grenade on the nearby town of Yaroun. Since the ceasefire began, Lebanese authorities have recorded over 4,200 Israeli violations, resulting in at least 230 deaths and more than 450 injuries. Although the ceasefire requires a full Israeli withdrawal, five Israeli military outposts remain in southern Lebanon.
Memri
5 hours ago
- Memri
British Islamic Scholar Asrar Rashid: The Final Caliphate Will Emerge from Jerusalem; Palestinian Uprisings Are Harbingers – The NATO-Backed, Nike-Wearing, McDonald's-Eating Jihad of ISIS Is Meant to
British Islamic scholar Asrar Rashid said in an interview with journalist Dilly Hussein that final Caliphate will be established out of Jerusalem, and that past and current Palestinian 'uprisings' are harbingers of this. He said democracy does not work for Muslims, calling it a 'tyranny,' and cited examples such as the West orchestrating a coup against Hamas in the Palestinian Authority and the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi in Egypt. Rashid claimed that the 'Nike-wearing,' 'McDonald's-eating,' Mossad-backed 'so-called' Jihad of ISIS is intended to distort the concept of Jihad and invalidate the 'real Jihad' of the Palestinians. He added that Jews would be safe and welcome in the Caliphate, provided they pay the jizya poll tax. The interview was conducted at Lozells Central Mosque in Birmingham as part of the launch of Rashid's book Intellectual Intifada: Blueprint for Restoring the Caliphate.
