U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the lives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are a central concern in the ongoing war in Gaza, stressing that their potential deaths are a price he's unwilling to pay.
Speaking at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump acknowledged the complexity of Israel’s military challenge, noting that as long as Hamas holds approximately 20 living hostages, it maintains what he called a "protection" against military escalation.
Trump warns against aggressive military action in Gaza that could endanger hostages, saying their deaths are not a price the US or Israel is willing to accept
(Video: Reuters)
“If they [Hamas] didn't have the hostages, things would go very quickly... we know where they have them in some cases,” Trump said. “You don't want to go riding roughshod over that area because that means those hostages will be killed. Now, some people say, 'Well, that's the price you pay,' but we don't want to say that. And I don't think the people of Israel want to say that either."
He added that freeing the hostages through military means was too risky and that negotiations remained the most sensitive path. Trump claimed that in the most recent round of talks, Iran had signaled to Hamas to harden its position, further complicating efforts for a deal.
Trump emphasized that the hostage issue continues to dominate his conversations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I’m speaking to Bibi Netanyahu, and we are coming up with various plans. It’s a difficult situation,” he said.
Trump: 'We've given a lot of money to Gaza—$60 million for food just two weeks ago'
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While reaffirming humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza, Trump also expressed frustration over Hamas’s appropriation of aid. He announced plans to establish “food centers” in Gaza in cooperation with international partners, saying, “We’ve raised trillions of dollars. We’re going to spend some of it on food. There are children who are starving—it’s a real hunger you can’t fake.”
He criticized Hamas for diverting aid and reiterated that the U.S. had already provided $60 million in food assistance in recent weeks. “We gave $60 million, nobody said even thank you,” Trump remarked. “Other nations are going to have to step up.”
Trump’s comments come as Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi travel to the United States for high-level talks with Trump’s advisers. The discussions are expected to focus on a potential hostage deal, a ceasefire framework, and the status of indirect negotiations with Iran. Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly agreed to the visit in coordination with Trump.
Trump wtih British Prime MInister Keir Starmer: 'From what I see on TV, I can say those kids look starving'
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, with images of emaciated children circulating widely, Trump pushed back on Netanyahu’s recent claim that there is “no starvation in Gaza.” “From what I see on TV, I can say those kids look starving,” he said. “We’re sending a lot of money and a lot of food. The children in Gaza must receive food and security immediately.”
Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi appealed to Trump directly in a speech, declaring that only Trump is “capable of stopping the war.” Reiterating Egypt’s opposition to voluntary resettlement plans reportedly supported by Trump and Israel, Sisi said: “We reject the idea of uprooting Palestinians from their land.”
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Egypt continues to mediate ceasefire and hostage deal negotiations alongside Qatar. “In recent days, I’ve heard calls concerning the situation in Gaza,” Sisi said. “We have always taken a positive stance, calling for an end to the war, a two-state solution and a resolution to the Palestinian issue. Gaza normally needs 600 to 700 aid trucks per day. In recent months, we’ve worked to get as much aid into the Strip as possible.”
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US President DOnald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
(Photos: Andrew Caballero- Reynolds/ AFP, Jacquelyn Martin, AP)
“Egypt cannot and will not play a negative role toward our Palestinian brothers," he added. "Our role is honorable and committed. I call on all countries to do everything they can to stop the war and send aid.”
On aid access, he emphasized, “We have a large number of Egyptian trucks ready to enter Gaza. There’s nothing blocking aid delivery except the need for the Palestinian side of Rafah to remain open. Our efforts in recent months have focused on delivering assistance to Gaza, which is experiencing tragic conditions.”
A the deadlock in hostage deal negotiations continues—despite ongoing mediation efforts—Netanyahu, his ministers, and U.S. figures like Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff have increasingly hinted at Israel preparing for a full-scale military takeover of Gaza.
Likud MK Moshe Saada said Monday that “there’s no choice now but to occupy the entire Gaza Strip from end to end,” adding that Israel had received a green light from Trump: “I think we’re finally heading toward occupying the enclave. The prime minister wanted a partial deal and did everything to achieve it, even at heavy costs. Now he realizes that a partial deal isn’t happening.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the tone with a renewed warning: “If Hamas does not release the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza.”
First published: 15:41, 07.28.25