‘They’re in a war’: US President Donald Trump rejects genocide allegations against Israel

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (3 Aug) dismissed accusations that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide, stressing that the conflict began when Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. “I don’t think it’s that. They’re in a war,” Trump said when asked about the genocide allegations, as he prepared to board Air Force One in Allentown, Pennsylvania. “Some horrible things happened on October 7. It was a horrible, horrible thing. One of the worst I’ve ever seen.” The Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel in October 2023 left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. According to Israeli authorities, 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Israel has consistently denied accusations of war crimes and genocide, insisting it does not target civilians and pointing to measures taken to evacuate residents from combat zones and allow humanitarian aid. However, international organisations have accused Israel of failing to deliver sufficient aid to avert famine and of disregarding civilian casualties.

Trump Highlights US Role in Gaza Aid

In response to a broader update on Gaza, Trump said the United States was working to ensure that food reached Palestinian civilians in the Strip. “We want the people fed. We’re the only country that’s really doing that. We’re putting up money to get the people fed. And Steve Witkoff is doing a great job,” he said, referring to the US special envoy to the Middle East. Trump added that Washington was “giving some pretty big contributions, basically to purchase food, so that people can be fed. "We don’t want people going hungry, and we don’t want people to starve. And there’s some bad things happening,” he said, without elaborating.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Numerous countries have ramped up food aid deliveries to Gaza amid reports of widespread hunger. Israel has rejected claims of starvation, accusing Hamas of obstructing and diverting aid shipments. Last month, in response to growing international criticism, Israel pledged to increase the flow of supplies, implement 10-hour humanitarian pauses in three Gaza population centres, and assist with international airdrops of food. On Friday, Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Gaza to assess the humanitarian situation. “The purpose of the visit was to give US President Donald Trump a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza,” Witkoff said. Trump has repeatedly promised a detailed plan to feed civilians in Gaza but has so far declined to provide specifics. According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least six people died of starvation over the weekend, bringing the total number of malnutrition-related deaths to 175 since the start of the war, including 93 children. The World Health Organization reported 63 malnutrition-related deaths in July alone, including 25 children, of whom all but one were under the age of five. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied widespread reports of starvation in Gaza on 27 July, blaming Hamas for stealing aid. “What a bold-faced lie. There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza,” Netanyahu said at an event led by conservative US pastor Paula White in Jerusalem.

Clashes at Aid Distribution Points

Israel halted aid deliveries between March and May this year after a ceasefire with Hamas collapsed, claiming sufficient food had been stockpiled during the truce to last for months. In late May, the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operations, replacing the UN-led aid system after Israel accused it of enabling Hamas to seize supplies. The GHF aims to deliver aid directly to civilians, but UN agencies and other relief groups have condemned the move, saying it violates humanitarian neutrality and exposes aid seekers to danger. The United Nations estimates that nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution points since late May, including more than 800 near GHF-run sites, which are secured by American contractors alongside Israeli troops, and 514 along the routes of food convoys. Between 30 and 31 July alone, 105 Palestinians were killed and at least 680 more injured along convoy routes in the Zikim area in North Gaza, southern Khan Younis, and near GHF sites in Middle Gaza and Rafah, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement issued on 31 July. OHCHR noted that most of the killings were carried out by the Israeli military. While the agency acknowledged the presence of other armed elements in the areas, it said there was no information suggesting their involvement in the attacks. “[The office] has no information that these Palestinians were directly participating in hostilities or posed any threat to Israeli security forces or other individuals. Each person killed or injured had been desperately struggling for survival, not only for themselves, but also for their families and dependents,” the statement added. The Israel Defense Forces have admitted firing near crowds approaching their positions at aid sites but dispute the casualty figures and have not released alternative numbers. The conflict that escalated on 7 October 2023 has killed more than 60,800 Palestinians, including at least 17,400 children, and injured over 149,500 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza as of 3 August.