U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to take a clear position on whether Israel should fully occupy Gaza, instead emphasizing his administration’s focus on increasing food access to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
“As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel,” Trump told reporters at the White House, amid rising concern over Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.
His remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held high-level security meetings, with Israeli media reporting that he supports a full military takeover of the enclave — a move that would constitute a blatant violation of international law, according to human rights experts.
While some in the political leadership are pushing for expanding the offensive, the military is concerned that doing so will endanger the 20 hostages who are still alive, the officials said.
Israel launched its military campaign following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza.
