Full Gaza Occupation 'Up to Israel,' Says Trump
U.S. President Trump says a full Gaza occupation is "up to Israel" while condemning a "horrible" hostage video. The statement comes as Israel's PM Netanyahu reportedly considers a full takeover, a move opposed by the IDF and fraught with risk for hostages and the humanitarian crisis.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Tuesday that a potential full Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip would be “pretty much going to be up to Israel,” while separately condemning a “horrible” video released by Hamas that purportedly shows an emaciated Israeli hostage being forced to dig his own grave. The president's comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering a full military takeover of the enclave, a move that could endanger the remaining hostages and faces opposition from his own military.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump said his administration’s primary focus is on the humanitarian situation. “I know that we are there now trying to get people fed,” he stated, noting that Gazans “are obviously not doing too well with the food.” He added that he expects Israel and Arab states to assist with money and distribution for aid efforts.
The debate over a full occupation intensified after Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly emerged from a security consultation in favor of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) taking control of the entire Gaza Strip. According to reports, this strategy is being considered even if it endangers the lives of the remaining hostages held in areas not yet entered by the army. The plan still requires final approval from the Israeli cabinet later this week.
The U.S. State Department declined to comment directly on a potential Israeli occupation. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday, “We remain focused on freeing the hostages, including the remains of two Americans, and ensuring that Hamas never rules Gaza again.” Bruce highlighted the recent videos of emaciated hostages as an “astoundingly evil reminder” of Hamas’s nature, adding, “For them to feel comfortable putting on full display their barbarity and their inhumanity, tells you that they seem to feel pretty comfortable at the moment.”
President Trump echoed this sentiment when asked about the video of hostage Evyatar David. “I think it’s horrible,” Trump said. “I hope a lot of people do get to see it, as bad as it is, because I think it’s a horrible thing.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly increasingly convinced that only by entering the remaining areas of central and northern Gaza can Israel pressure Hamas into releasing the approximately 50 hostages it still holds. However, the IDF’s leadership is said to be opposed to the strategy, fearing it could lead Hamas to execute captives if its operatives sense the army is closing in. The public nature of this debate has led to speculation that the threat of a full occupation may be a tactic to press Hamas back to the negotiating table after talks collapsed on July 24.
Arab mediators have told The Times of Israel that the gaps in negotiations are still bridgeable. However, Netanyahu’s office has briefed reporters that he now prefers a comprehensive deal to release all hostages in exchange for an end to the war, a framework Hamas has long favored. Netanyahu’s demands that Hamas disarm and leave the Strip remain non-starters for the group.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Aid groups have warned of widespread famine, and distribution has been fraught with challenges. Much of the assistance has been channeled through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a mechanism the international community largely opposes due to chaotic scenes and a lack of a registration process. The UN has reported that at least 766 people have been killed in shootings near GHF sites. The IDF, which has been blamed, insists it only fires warning shots and that other gunmen are also firing from within the crowds.
The U.S. is reportedly looking to increase its role in aid distribution. An Axios report on Tuesday stated that the administration believes Israel has mishandled the issue and is crafting a new plan. This follows a visit to a GHF site on Friday by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Israel, for its part, has faulted the UN for failures in aid distribution, while the UN insists that Israeli restrictions and war conditions make a sustainable operation all but impossible.
