Trump to 'take over' Gaza aid effort, citing Israeli inadequacy: Axios
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Witkoff and President Trump have discussed plans for the US to significantly increase its role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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Palestinians carry sacks of flour taken from a humanitarian aid convoy en route to Gaza City, in the outskirts of Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP)
US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with President Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss a plan for the US to significantly expand its role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli officials familiar with the talks.
With ceasefire negotiations stalled and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly preparing to escalate the war, US officials are increasingly alarmed by the potential for more bloodshed, though they have not formally pushed back. Meanwhile, the new Gaza food aid initiative Trump announced last week remains incomplete.
A US official stated that the Trump administration now plans to "take over" the humanitarian response in Gaza, citing "Israel’s" failure to adequately manage aid distribution. While details are still unclear, the US will reportedly coordinate with Gulf states like Qatar for funding and involve regional players such as Jordan and Egypt.
Trump 'not thrilled with idea'
The official divulged that while Trump is "not thrilled" with the idea, "it has to happen. The starvation problem in Gaza is getting worse. Donald Trump does not like that. He does not want babies to starve. He wants mothers to be able to nurse their children. He's becoming fixated on that."
A second US official emphasized that the administration is treading carefully to avoid becoming too deeply entangled in the Gaza crisis.
The president doesn't want the US to be the only one "throwing money at this problem," the official said, detailing that he instructed Witkoff and others to ensure that both "our European and Arab partners" are contributing as well.
According to both US and Israeli officials, "Israel" supports a larger American role, with one Israeli official claiming the increased flow of cash from the US will "significantly help improve the humanitarian situation."
Some US officials are increasingly alarmed by Netanyahu’s proposal to fully occupy Gaza, including areas where captives are believed to be held, a move Israeli military leaders warn could endanger captives and force "Israel" into governing over two million Palestinians.
IOF Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir and other top security officials have warned Netanyahu against the move, cautioning it could endanger the captives and force "Israel" into full military control over Gaza, making it responsible for more than two million Palestinians.
Rift grows between military, political leadership in 'Israel'
According to a report by Channel 14 on Monday, sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that a decision had been reached to pursue a full-scale military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with the sources further stating that IOF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir would be expected to step down if he did not support the move.
Kan 11 broadcaster reported that Netanyahu’s office, during a recent briefing, stressed the prime minister’s unwavering commitment to a full occupation of Gaza, describing it as critical to ending the war with Hamas, while government ministers revealed that the security cabinet would soon meet to formalize the decision.
During private deliberations, Zamir cautioned that maintaining an extended ground operation in Gaza would expose Israeli troops to greater risks, align with Hamas' strategic goals, and lead to heightened military attrition.
Given the current circumstances, military officials are preparing to offer the political echelon two alternative courses of action should negotiations fail: a comprehensive occupation of Gaza, which the senior command opposes, or a sustained siege and attrition strategy favored by the defense establishment.
