TURNBERRY, Scotland — President Donald Trump signaled the U.S. is preparing to take an additional step to help get food to those in the Gaza Strip as he hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his golf club in Turnberry, Scotland, on Monday.
The meeting, in which the two leaders were expected to further discuss details of their trade deal struck weeks ago, also comes fresh off the announcement of the framework for a new agreement over tariffs between the U.S. and the European Union. Trump huddled with the commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, in Scotland on Sunday, days before the U.S. leader’s new Aug. 1 deadline for his country-specific tariffs are to take effect.
Speaking to reporters as he welcomed Starmer, Trump noted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is grappling with starvation amid the war, was a key reason for his meeting with the British leader.
Trump later used the press portion of his sit-down with Starmer to announce the U.S. will set up “food centers” in Gaza where people can walk in with “no boundaries.” He noted other nations, including the United Kingdom and other European nations, will join the effort.
“We’re going to set up food centers, and we’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people, and we’re going to supply funds, and we just took in trillions of dollars, a lot of money, and we’re going to spend a little money on some food,” Trump said.
In a notable comment, the U.S. president also appeared to contend with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion over the weekend that there is no starvation in the Palestinian territory.
“Based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry,” Trump said when asked about the Israeli leaders’ comment.
While Trump has lamented Hamas’ role in the crisis — including on Sunday asserting it was “stealing” food — the president said during his meeting with Starmer that Israel “has a lot of responsibility” in limiting aid to the region.
At the same time, Trump acknowledged Israel is “hampered” by concern over the roughly 20 hostages still being held by Hamas. He said Hamas is using the remaining hostages as a “shield,” noting that he always believed it would be harder to get the last group of them out for that reason.
“They did horrible things on Oct. 7, (2023), and the hostages are a shield,” Trump said. “And I said, you know, you’re going to get down a number, and the number is going to be at a point where you’re not going to be able to get them back, unless you’re going to be very energetic.”
Standing next to Trump, Starmer called the humanitarian situation a “catastrophe,” remarking that people in Britain are “revolted” by the images of starvation in Gaza.
Starmer also thanked the president for leading work to address the situation in the region after Trump lamented on Sunday that the U.S. has not received gratitude from other countries for its efforts.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
