Declaring that the choice is “mostly up to Israel,” U.S. President Donald Trump has implied he will not challenge Israel’s claimed intentions to completely occupy Gaza.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump minimized claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to seize total authority of the Palestinian area. “I’m really focused on getting people fed in Gaza,” he said, adding that his main priority is humanitarian assistance.
More than 61,000 people have died and much of the land has been damaged since October 2023 in Gaza, where Israel’s actions have drawn growing worldwide condemnation, hence Trump’s remarks. With 86% of Gaza currently marked as military zones, Israel has pushed Palestinians into progressively smaller territories using military force and displacement orders.
Analysts and aid organizations say that a total occupation of Gaza would jeopardize both Palestinian people and any remaining Israeli prisoners kept by Hamas. On Tuesday, UN official Miroslav Jenca cautioned the Security Council that such a measure would “risk catastrophic consequences” and emphasized that Gaza “must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state.”
Though Israel withdrew its settlements from Gaza in 2005, it has kept dominion over the borders, airspace, and sea access. Legal experts claim this still constitutes occupation according to international law.
Right-wing Israeli leaders have more and more advocated a comeback of military governance and the rebuilding of communities. Netanyahu has also before proposed removing Palestinians entirely, a position critics claim amounts to ethnic cleansing. Trump echoed this in February, recommending Gaza be made into a tourist “riviera” once depopulated.
In the meantime, extreme hunger still plagues the enclave. Although many rely on U.S.-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, Trump declared on Tuesday that “60 million dollars” had been sent in aid. Access to food remains severely limited; Israeli soldiers supposedly shot at Palestinians attempting to get there.
Although there are increasing cries to let the UN handle logistics, Trump said Israel and some Arab countries would assist. Israel has authorized small aid convoys and air drops in recent days, but these are not enough to satisfy immediate needs.
