Donald Trump has complained that nobody has thanked him for sending millions in aid to Gaza, an apparent reference to American funding of the controversial, Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
Speaking in Turnberry in Scotland alongside European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Trump was asked if Israel should be doing more to get aid into Gaza.
Mr Trump claimed that, two weeks ago, the US gave $60 million (£45 million) worth of food to the Palestinians in Gaza, adding that he deserved to be thanked for this.
“You know, we gave $60 million two weeks ago and nobody even acknowledged it, for food,” he said.
“And you really want at least someone to say ‘thank you’. No other country gave anything. It makes you feel a little bad when nobody talks about it.”
He said that “none of the European countries have given anything”, before adding that “it would be nice to get at least a ‘thank you’.”
Mr Trump did not specify where these funds have come from or to whom they have been sent, but last month, The Guardian revealed that the US had authorised a $30m grant to the controversial GHF.
The Israeli military on Sunday began a limited pause in fighting in three populated areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day, part of measures including airdrops as concerns grow over surging hunger and as Israel faces international criticism over its conduct in the 21-month war.
The military said the “tactical pause” in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, three areas with large populations, would increase humanitarian aid entering the territory. The pause runs from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily until further notice.
Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have already parachuted aid into the Gaza Strip as Israel relents to pressure against the GHF being the sole supplier of food. Other aid organisations have accused the GHF and Israel of weaponising aid.
Trump did not say whether he believed there was no point trying to restart ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, which Sir Keir Starmer will press him on during their bilateral meeting on Monday.
It was put to him that the UK Prime Minister would ask him about negotiations between the two countries. Asked whether he was saying there was no point in trying to restart talks, the US president said: “We’re meeting about a lot of things. We have our trade deal and it’s been a great deal.
“It’s good for us. It’s good for them and good for us. I think the UK is very happy, they’ve been trying for 12 years to get it and they got it, and it’s a great trade deal for both, works out very well.
“We’ll be discussing that. I think we’re going to be discussing a lot about Israel. They’re very much involved in terms of wanting something to happen. He’s doing a very good job, by the way.”
