Trump: Hamas 'Steals the Food,' Must Not Be Rewarded

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Israel will be tasked with overseeing the distribution of American-funded food aid in Gaza, arguing it is necessary to prevent Hamas from stealing supplies. Speaking to reporters, the president also stated he has "no view" on a new British policy to recognize Palestinian sovereignty and rejected the idea of pressuring Israel for a long-term solution, stating such a move would be "rewarding Hamas."

The comments were made aboard Air Force One as the president returned from a trip to Scotland, in response to a UK announcement that it will recognize Palestinian sovereignty in September if Israel does not commit to a ceasefire, ease suffering in Gaza, and commit to a two-state solution.

The UK’s policy shift comes in the wake of a high-level United Nations conference on Tuesday where representatives issued a forceful call for the creation of a Palestinian state. According to the Associated Press (AP), the gathering produced the “New York Declaration,” a phased plan aimed at ending the conflict through a two-state solution.

The declaration, supported by 125 participating nations, envisions a demilitarized, independent Palestinian state coexisting with Israel. It proposes that a revitalized Palestinian Authority (PA) assume full governance of Palestinian territories and calls on Hamas to "end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority."

The document also condemned both sides of the conflict. In a notable diplomatic shift, Arab nations officially condemned Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attacks. Simultaneously, it condemned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, citing attacks on civilians and a siege that have resulted in a “devastating humanitarian catastrophe.” According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Both Israel and the United States rejected the initiative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the conference, while the U.S. boycotted the meeting, labeling it “unproductive and ill-timed.”

The declaration prompted specific pledges from key U.S. allies. French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country would recognize the state of Palestine in September. The UK’s announcement of conditional recognition made it and France the only G7 countries to make such a pledge.

When asked aboard Air Force One if he knew the announcement from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government was coming, President Trump said, "No, we never discussed it surprisingly. It was never really discussed."

Instead, President Trump focused on a plan for humanitarian assistance. "We're going to get a lot of money to the area so they can get some food," he said, noting the U.S. has sent $60 million.

The president stated that the primary focus must be on immediate needs. "We want to take it one thing at a time," he explained. "They need food and they need people to be able to get them the food."

However, when pressed on whether there would be any ease in pressuring Israel to reach a longer-term solution, President Trump firmly pushed back. "Well, you could make the case that you're rewarding people, that you're rewarding Hamas if you do that," he said. "And I don't think they should be rewarded... I am not in that camp."

A central component of the president’s aid plan involves direct oversight by Israel to manage the food centers, which he said would be established "very soon." When asked who would run the centers, Trump replied, "Well, we're going to be dealing with Israel, and we think they can do a good job of it. And they want to do it."

He reiterated this point multiple times, stressing that Israeli oversight would prevent aid from being diverted. "They want to preside over the food centers to make sure the distribution is proper," he said, adding that "a lot of things have been stolen... Hamas steals it." The president confirmed he had spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu two days prior to ensure the U.S. funds would be spent "wisely and judiciously."

Regarding the diplomatic moves by European allies, President Trump maintained that while he may not agree, it is their right to have an opinion. "I guess Starmer is doing the same as Macron, right?" he said. "And that's okay. But, you know, it doesn't mean I have to agree."