As Israel eyes full control of Gaza, Trump avoids firm stance—drawing backlash over humanitarian crisis and fears of ethnic cleansing.
Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump has indicated he would not oppose a full Israeli occupation of Gaza, despite growing international concerns about a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump was asked about reports suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to occupy the entirety of Gaza. The president responded by shifting focus to humanitarian issues, saying his priority was ensuring “people get fed” in Gaza.
“As far as the rest of it, I really can’t say. That’s going to be pretty much up to Israel,” Trump said.
The United States continues to provide Israel with billions in military aid annually—support that has significantly increased since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. As the conflict escalates, Israel has issued mass displacement orders, forcing Palestinians into increasingly cramped zones, with 86 percent of Gaza now designated as militarised areas.
Expanding ground operations into the remaining parts of Gaza could have disastrous implications for the civilian population, who already face severe shortages of food, shelter, and medical aid due to constant bombardment and a near-total Israeli blockade. UN officials have warned such a move could worsen what they describe as an unfolding genocide.
On Tuesday, Miroslav Jenca, a top United Nations envoy, addressed the Security Council, warning that a full occupation of Gaza would “risk catastrophic consequences.” He underscored that “Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state,” aligning with international legal standards.
While Israel technically withdrew from Gaza in 2005, many legal scholars argue the territory has remained under occupation due to Israeli control of its airspace, borders, and territorial waters. Since the 2023 escalation, several right-wing Israeli figures have advocated for re-establishing settlements and a permanent military presence in Gaza.
Netanyahu has also made remarks suggesting the removal of all Palestinians from Gaza—a move rights groups say would amount to ethnic cleansing. Trump himself echoed similar sentiments earlier this year when he floated the idea of transforming Gaza into a luxury coastal destination, calling it a potential “riviera of the Middle East.”
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Israel has blocked most international aid since March, leaving U.S.-backed Global Humanitarian Fund (GHF) facilities as one of the few distribution points. Hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been shot trying to reach these sites, which are located deep within areas controlled by Israeli forces.
Despite mounting international pressure to let the United Nations manage aid distribution, the U.S. has continued to back GHF operations. Trump reiterated on Tuesday that his administration had provided $60 million in aid to Gaza, including $30 million specifically for GHF.
“That’s a lot of food, frankly, for people in Gaza who are obviously not doing too well with the food,” Trump said, adding that Israel and Arab states would assist with logistics and funding.
Recent weeks have seen a limited number of aid trucks and air drops reaching parts of Gaza, but humanitarian groups warn that the scale of assistance remains woefully inadequate. Moreover, the Israeli military has been accused of targeting Palestinians attempting to access food outside of official GHF locations, particularly in northern Gaza.
Israel’s ongoing assault has killed more than 61,000 people and flattened much of Gaza’s infrastructure. Human rights organizations and UN experts continue to call it a genocide—a characterization the U.S. has so far refused to endorse or act upon.