Trump Pledges $30 Million In Aid To Tackle Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis.
President Donald Trump has committed $30 million in food and medical aid to Gaza, a move aimed at addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. The announcement, made during a visit by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to aid distribution sites in Gaza on Friday, signals a renewed US effort to alleviate suffering in the war-torn enclave. The pledge comes as part of a broader push to establish food distribution centres and ensure aid reaches civilians amidst ongoing conflict.
The funding, approved in June 2025 by the US State Department, is directed to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed non-profit tasked with delivering aid in Gaza. The organisation, which began operations in May, has already distributed over 46 million meals, according to its executive chairman, Rev. Dr. Johnnie Moore. However, the initiative has faced criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian groups, who argue that GHF’s operations are unsafe and ineffective, with reports of over 500 Palestinian deaths at its distribution sites since June. Critics, including 21 Democratic senators, have raised concerns about the group’s ties to private security contractors and the Israeli government, as well as its exemption from standard USAID auditing processes.
Trump’s pledge follows his public acknowledgement of “real starvation” in Gaza, a stance that contrasts with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that no hunger crisis exists. Speaking in Scotland on 28 July, Trump expressed dismay at images of starving children, vowing to establish accessible food centres without barriers. “Some of those kids—that’s real starvation stuff. You can’t fake that,” he said, urging European allies to contribute more aid. The US initiative coincides with Israel’s agreement to match the $30 million pledge, though it remains unverified whether these funds have been disbursed.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with local health authorities reporting over 60,000 deaths since the Israel-Hamas conflict intensified in October 2023. Israel’s blockade, lifted partially in May, has restricted aid flows, leading to widespread malnutrition and famine warnings. While Israel has introduced tactical pauses in fighting and allowed airdrops, UN officials describe these efforts as insufficient, with desperate civilians often looting aid convoys. Trump’s administration has accused Hamas of diverting aid, though a US government analysis found no evidence of systematic theft.
The US pledge has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters, including some Republican lawmakers, praise Trump’s focus on direct aid delivery, while critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, argue that the GHF’s operations risk exacerbating the crisis. As Trump pushes for a new aid plan, with details yet to be outlined, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough in addressing Gaza’s urgent needs. With European nations like the UK and France also increasing aid commitments, the focus remains on ensuring safe and effective distribution to prevent further loss of life.