Trump admits Gaza hunger crisis, faces aid plan backlash

English , Middle East - مشرق وسطٰی , Snippets , / Friday, August 1st, 2025

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rki.news
GAZA, July 31 – U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that people in Gaza are facing serious food shortages, and announced plans to open new food distribution centers, managed with oversight from Israel. But Palestinian analysts and residents say this approach may do little to improve conditions on the ground.
Hussam al-Dajani, a political analyst based in Gaza, said that while the U.S. recognition of the crisis is important, the method of response is concerning. “When powerful nations admit there’s a problem, it creates expectations for real solutions. But relying on the same structures that contributed to the crisis only deepens the hardship,” he said.
Critics argue that placing food distribution under Israeli management could turn humanitarian aid into a tool of control. “It’s not relief—it’s a system to manage a struggling population,” said Ramallah-based analyst Esmat Mansour.
On the ground, many Gaza residents say they’ve seen no real benefit. “We wait for hours and often return empty-handed,” said Khaled al-Za’noun of Gaza City. “My cousin was injured while trying to reach a bag of flour.”
In Maghazi refugee camp, Om Sami al-Sheikh, a mother of three, said she waited six hours but received nothing. Her youngest child, less than a year old, showed signs of severe undernourishment. “The aid system feels degrading. If help was genuine, we wouldn’t still be hungry,” she said.
Local health officials report that over 150 people, including many children, have died from complications linked to poor nutrition.
Analyst Hani al-Masri believes the announcement reflects growing international pressure rather than a shift in U.S. policy. “This is more about image than real help,” he said.