Report: Trump and Netanyahu Had Shouting Match Over Gaza Famine

A phone call between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last week fell into a shouting match about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, NBC reported early Friday.

The clash followed Netanyahu’s remarks at a Jerusalem event claiming that “there is no hunger in Gaza.” During a visit to Scotland the next day, Trump contradicted him, saying he had seen images of Gaza children who “looked very hungry,” adding: “There is real hunger there, you can’t fake it.”

Later that day, Netanyahu requested an urgent call with Trump. According to the report, Netanyahu told Trump that claims of famine in Gaza were Hamas propaganda. Three sources familiar with the call said Trump responded that he was “not ready to hear the claim that the famine in Gaza was fabricated and that his aides showed him that there were starving children there,” raising his voice and cutting Netanyahu off. One source described it as “a one-sided conversation in which Trump spoke almost alone – mainly about humanitarian aid.”

Media reports from Germany this week showed that many of the pictures taken of Gazans desperate for food were staged, and order media outlets identified several starving children as having unrelated health conditions that made them look emaciated, leading to two retractions made by the New York Times.

Following the dispute, the White House dispatched its Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Israel to assess the humanitarian situation. Witkoff explored ways to improve the Gaza humanitarian fund and consider expanding its operations. After returning, he briefed Trump. When asked the next day if he supported an Israeli takeover of Gaza, Trump sidestepped the question, saying: “I’m focused on getting food to the people there. As for occupation – it’s hard for me to say, that depends on Israel.”

American officials told NBC that after the Israeli cabinet’s decision late Thursday night, recent satellite images showed a substantial buildup of IDF forces along the Gaza border. The officials said this could signal preparations for an expanded ground offensive.

Four American sources, including three government officials, confirmed they had seen images showing a large-scale IDF buildup, suggesting readiness for intensified fighting in Gaza. However, they stressed it was unclear whether the move was meant to extend the military operation or to pressure Hamas back to negotiations.

Three US sources added that an expanded maneuver could include attempts to rescue hostages from Hamas. They also noted approval of an Israeli-American initiative to enlarge aid centers operating inside Gaza.

In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said Israel aims to “control all of Gaza,” but clarified: “We don’t want to stay there. We want a security zone, but not to control.” He emphasized: “The goal is to remove Hamas rule and allow the population to move towards a civilian government that does not support the destruction of Israel.”