President Donald Trump declined to wave off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from fully occupying Gaza, as tensions grow within the Israeli government over the proposed offensive.
“I really can’t say,” Trump said, speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “It is going to be pretty much up to Israel.”
Pressed on the occupation question, Trump instead pointed to ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
“Well, I don’t know what the suggestion is. I know that we are there now, trying to get people fed. As you know, $60 million was given by the United States fairly recently to supply food, and a lot of, lot of food, frankly, for the people of Gaza that are obviously not doing too well with the food,” he said.
Trump added that Israel, Arab states, and the U.S. were working together on distribution and additional financial aid.
“I know Israel is going to help us with that in terms of distribution, and also money. We also have the Arab states [who]are going to help us with that in terms of the money and possibly distribution,” he said. “So that’s what I’m focused on.”
Israeli leaders are reportedly considering a complete occupation of the Gaza Strip, according to local media reports. Netanyahu was to meet Tuesday with Defense Minister Israel Katz and other senior defense officials to discuss the next phase of the war. “How to achieve the three war objectives we have set … defeating the enemy, releasing our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will never again threaten Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Sources within the prime minister’s office say the plan under discussion involves a full military occupation of Gaza, including operations in areas where hostages are still believed to be held.
Trump met Monday evening with special envoy Steve Witkoff at the U.S. House following Witkoff’s recent visit to Israel and Gaza, according to two U.S. officials and an Israeli official cited by Axios. The meeting was to discuss plans for the U.S. to ramp up humanitarian aid to Gaza.
According to the report, a U.S. official said the Trump administration has decided to “take over” management of the humanitarian response in Gaza, citing concerns that Israel is not handling the situation adequately. While the specifics of the U.S. role remain unclear, the official said Gulf nations such as Qatar are expected to contribute funding, with Jordan and Egypt also likely to play a part in the effort.
ISRAEL ALLOWS MERCHANTS INTO GAZA STRIP AMID REPORTS OF VOTE FOR FULL OCCUPATION
Although the number of aid trucks entering Gaza has increased in recent weeks, the vast majority have been intercepted by hungry civilians and armed groups. Since mid-May, only 12% have reached their intended destinations, according to the U.N. Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
Meanwhile, the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which now holds sole responsibility for aid distribution, has faced persistent violence, further complicating relief efforts.