Trump Thinks He At Least Deserves A ‘Thank You’ For Sending Money To Starving Gaza
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Live updates: Israel eases some Gaza aid restrictions as more Palestinians starve
A dozen people were reported to have been killed while trying to get food aid from a distribution point in central Gaza on Sunday. Al-Awda Hospital said it received 12 bodies, including those of four children and one woman, and treated more than 100 people who had been injured. The Israel Defense Forces told CNN on Sunday that it was “not aware of any casualties” after its troops fired what it described as “warning shots” near an aid distribution site.
As the Israeli military began what it called a “tactical pause” in operations in three parts of Gaza, a dozen people were reported to have been killed while trying to get food aid from a distribution point in central Gaza on Sunday.
Al-Awda Hospital said it received 12 bodies, including those of four children and one woman, and treated more than 100 people who had been injured after Israeli forces opened fire near an aid point operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
It’s unclear whether the incident occurred before the tactical pause came into effect at 10 a.m. local time, nor whether it was inside the area covered by the pause.
The Israel Defense Forces told CNN on Sunday that it was “not aware of any casualties” after its troops fired what it described as “warning shots” near an aid distribution site. The military claimed a “gathering of suspects” had endangered its troops in the area.
“The warning shots were not fired at the aid distribution site, but at a distance of hundreds of meters away from it, prior to its opening hours,” the IDF said.
More victims arrive at hospitals: There have also been further casualties among people seeking aid in northern Gaza, according to hospital officials.
At least 11 bodies have been brought into Al-Shifa Hospital since Saturday afternoon from the area used by aid convoys coming in from the Zikim crossing, according to Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the hospital’s director.
Abu Salmiya told CNN that 120 injured people had also arrived at the hospital.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said its field hospital in the north had received two bodies and 54 wounded people after “the targeting of civilians waiting for aid in the Zikim area” in the north-west of Gaza Strip and an airstrike in Gaza City.
This post has been updated with a response from the IDF.
Trump Thinks He At Least Deserves A ‘Thank You’ For Sending Money To Starving Gaza
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment Sunday that nobody has thanked him for sending money toward food aid for Gaza. The president did not specifically say where the $60 million he referenced came from or to whom it was sent. The State Department approved $30 million for the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Aid groups, lawmakers and the United Nations have condemned GHF for bringing starving families to food distribution sites only for Israeli soldiers and U.S mercenaries to open fire on the crowds.Since GHF launched in May, Israeli forces have killed more than a thousand Palestinians seeking aid, the U.N. human rights office said.“Nobody said, ‘Gee, thank you very much,’” he continued. “If we weren’t there, I think people would have starved, frankly. And it’s not like they’re eating well”Palestinians are already starving.
President Donald Trump expressed disappointment Sunday that nobody has thanked him for sending money meant to go toward food aid for Gaza, as Palestinians continue to die every day — either by starvation or by Israeli gunfire at U.S.-backed aid sites.
Appearing in Scotland alongside EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump was asked if Israel should do more to get sufficient aid into the Palestinian territory it has nearly flattened. The president responded with a bizarre complaint.
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“We gave $60 million two weeks ago for food for Gaza, and nobody acknowledged it, nobody talks about it. And it makes you feel a little bad when you do that, and you know, you have other countries not giving anything,” he said, later specifying European countries.
“Nobody said, ‘Gee, thank you very much,’” he continued. “And it would be nice to have at least a thank you.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen meets Sunday with U.S. President Donald Trump at Trump Turnberry Golf Club in Turnberry, Scotland. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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The president did not specifically say where the $60 million he referenced came from or to whom it was sent. Reuters reported last month that the State Department approved $30 million for the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Aid groups, lawmakers and the United Nations have condemned GHF for bringing starving families to food distribution sites only for Israeli soldiers and U.S. mercenaries to open fire on the crowds.
Since GHF launched in May, Israeli forces have killed more than a thousand Palestinians seeking aid, the United Nations human rights office said.
None of the other countries Trump is presumably referring to financially supports GHF, though they do fund the U.N. agency GHF is trying to replace. The EU and other European governments also donate substantially toward the World Food Program and other aid groups. Some Arab countries have also delivered humanitarian assistance and given money toward Gaza relief.
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“It’s a mess, that whole place is a mess,” Trump said Sunday of Gaza.
“We’re giving a lot of money and a lot of food and a lot of everything,” he continued. “If we weren’t there, I think people would have starved, frankly. They would have starved. And it’s not like they’re eating well.”
Palestinians are already starving, due to both bombs destroying the territory as well as Israel’s massive aid restrictions it claims are due to thefts by Hamas. Trump repeated the same claim Sunday, despite a New York Times report one day earlier revealing that Israeli military officials have no proof Hamas militants routinely steal aid.
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“Claims were only aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the humanitarian community & attempting to replace it with a diabolic and politically motivated distribution scheme,” Philippe Lazzarini, chief of the U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian aid (UNRWA), posted Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s time for a principled and at scale humanitarian response including through UNRWA.”
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Europeans Can Instantly Tell You’re American If You Do Any Of These 23 Things
From coffee orders to outfit choices, many different signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows. “Americans tend to find everything ‘amazing,’ and they’re not shy about saying so ― out loud and often,” one European said. “You’ll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps, or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example,” said Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer. “The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There’s a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire,” said Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist. “I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water or iced Coffee).” said Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger.
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“As someone who works closely with American clients through destination weddings and food tours, I’ve picked up on quite a few telltale signs,” Portuguese tour guide and food critic Carol Batista told HuffPost.
From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows.
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“I try to avoid generalizations ― a Brooklyn creative won’t travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest,” said Stéphanie Pons, the founder of Lisbon Insiders. “But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence, and curiosity.”
Below, find 23 signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons, and other Europeans:
Comfort-First Fashion
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“You’ll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps, or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example.” ― Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography
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“That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie, and maybe ― just maybe ― sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.” ― Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist
Big Spending Habits
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“At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.” ― Iskra
“Americans love to spend ― and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel they’re getting great value in return. I would say that the mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes don’t realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100 € (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.” ― Batista
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On The Hunt For Iced Coffee
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“The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There’s a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.” ― Monteleone
“I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water or iced coffee).” ― Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer
Loud Confidence
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“One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. It’s not necessarily that they’re loud, but they command attention wherever they are, which also leans into how confidence is built in America. I have often found that Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident, which means they tend to take up space wherever they are.” ― Ronke Lawal, PR and communications consultant in London
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“Americans tend to find everything ‘amazing,’ and they’re not shy about saying so ― out loud and often. They speak with a volume that’s just slightly above local norms, even when whispering. And in a world where many cultures lean toward discretion, that kind of openness stands out.” ― Pons
Stanley Cups
FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP via Getty Images
“Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway ― they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!” ― Iskra
“Carrying a Stanley or huge water bottle.” ― Crivellaro
Large Engagement Rings
Krblokhin / Getty Images/iStockphoto
“The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American. In some countries, engagement rings aren’t as flashy or aren’t even a thing sometimes.” ― Iskra
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Jumping Straight Into English
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“It’s not the accent ― it’s the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple ‘ciao’ or ‘bonjour’ tends to unlock a different kind of experience. It’s a small gesture, but it changes everything.” ― Monteleone
Seeking Air Conditioning
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“In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors: The squares fill up, and the outdoor tables are always the most desired. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority.” ― Diana De Lorenzi, Rome-based lifestyle blogger
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“Americans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that aren’t so easy to come by in Italy!” ― Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy Edit
Warmth and Friendliness
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“I’ve traveled extensively in the US, and if there’s one thing I’ve consistently noticed, it’s their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. It can be quite disconcerting for us Europeans, but it’s a deeply rooted part of their culture. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But I’ve always defended it, I actually find it refreshing to have even a short exchange with someone who is smiling, warm, and quick to compliment your outfit or haircut. Personally, I love good energy, and I take the good where I find it.” ― Kenza Sadoun el Glaoui, Parisian digital creator
“In Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we don’t have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions, and it’s lovely to see. There’s a sort of genuine, open curiosity about an American abroad that I, personally, find very endearing.” ― Tara Povey, blogger at Where Is Tara?
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Genuine Enthusiasm
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“Americans are often very expressive ― big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy. And when they feel they’ve been well taken care of, they’re incredibly grateful. I’ve had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry they’d never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA — and it’s truly heartwarming.” ― Batista
“My partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always ― without fail ― say the same phrase: ‘Oh my God!’ For us, it’s a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But it’s funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.” ― De Lorenzi ,
Generous Tipping
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“One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers ― even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. On the other hand, with average salaries nearly double those in Italy, tipping makes sense and is a great way to show appreciation for good service, especially in places where it’s not expected.” ― Hengel
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“America has a very generous tipping culture, unlike any other country I’ve ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from. In Ireland and most of Europe, we only leave tips if the service or the food has been particularly good, and servers definitely do not expect or rely upon tips.” ― Povey
Paying By Credit Card
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“Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day.” ― De Lorenzi
Wide Smiles and Perfect Teeth
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“Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles. Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways.” ― Iskra
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Full Of Compliments
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“I’ve always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because she’ll go out of her way to give me a compliment, and it’s usually thoughtful and specific. It happens multiple times a day whenever I’m traveling in the States, and I’ve never experienced that kind of spontaneous kindness anywhere else in the world.” ― Kelsey Heinrichs, blogger at Kelsey in London
Wanting To Customize Everything
DronG / Getty Images
“There’s a kind of customization instinct ― asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency, the belief that services can and should adapt to you, not the other way around.” ― Pons,
Saying “Like” All The Time
“The overuse of the word ‘like’ — especially with people from LA. Sometimes you’ll hear ‘like’ eight times in a single sentence! It’s a casual, filler-filled way of speaking, and of course, there’s the unmistakable clarity of American English.” ― Batista
“Saying things like ‘awesome,’ ‘you guys,’ or the ever-present filler word ‘like’ always catches my ear with a 99% probability I hear it from an American.” ― Iskra
Limited Geographic Knowledge
AntonioGuillem / Getty Images/iStockphoto
“A general lack of geographical knowledge is a sure sign. Americans tend to refer to any country in Europe as ‘Europe,’ as if we are all the same. There is a huge difference between Norway and France; they’re completely incomparable. Referring to us all under one sweeping term of ‘Europe’ or ‘Europeans’ is sort of ridiculous. I once met an American man who asked me where I was from. When I told him I was from Ireland, he said that he had just been visiting my neighbors. I assumed that he must mean the United Kingdom (which I could understand). However, he then declared that he had visited Italy. Needless to say, neither Italy nor Ireland would ever refer to the other as a neighbor. It would take 27 hours to drive from Dublin to Rome. That’s the equivalent of Miami to Minneapolis. Florida and Minnesota are not neighbors.” ― Povey
Cappuccino With Dinner
Peeradon Warithkorasuth / Getty Images
“If someone asks for a cappuccino with pasta or pizza and also at dinner, you can be sure: They are an American tourist. It’s a cultural habit that always makes us smile because for us Italians, cappuccino is a morning ritual, part of breakfast, but it’s nice to see how every culture experiences food in its own way.” ― De Lorenzi,
Different Portion Size Expectations
SimpleImages / Getty Images
“I notice this a lot during food tours ― Americans are frequently surprised by how small European portions can be (while we are shocked when we see their portions). I’ve heard more than once ‘Wait, this is for one person?’ and it’s always funny.” ― Batista
Fast-Moving Itineraries
Alexander Spatari / Getty Images
“‘I’ve been to Europe’ often means a whirlwind through Paris, London, and Rome in under two weeks. Honestly, impressive cardio — but also, you just missed the good bakery next door. And truthfully? Europe’s charm often lives in the quieter, slower corners.” ― Monteleone
Quick To Talk About Heritage
Oleksii Liskonih / Getty Images/iStockphoto
“Rushing to include their ancestry in an opening conversation. Don’t get me wrong, I love that Americans are so enthusiastic about their heritage, and it certainly does wonders for Ireland’s tourism industry. However, they are the only country that does it. Never have I met anyone from outside the US who has launched into their grandparents’ origin story when we have just been introduced. While charming, it’s definitely a telltale sign that someone is from the US.” ― PoveySteves’
Love Of Rick Steves Guidebooks
Barry King / WireImage / Getty Images
“In Reykjavík, I immediately pick out Americans out of the bunch because they explore the country using Rick Steves Iceland as their compass. Not Lonely Planet. Or ,odors. Or even a local source. Good ’ol American Rick Steves ― who I met in person when I was his local guide in Reykjavík and is as ’Merican as they come. I’m sure other nations use guidebooks too, but Americans carry Rick with pride. Not tucked away in their backpack, ashamed of getting caught with something as gauche as a guidebook, but loud and proud. Out in the open.” ― Auður Ösp Ólafsdóttir, Iceland-based marketing professionalwalked
That Intangible American Vibe
Paramount Network / Via giphy.com
“As someone who works across lifestyle and hospitality in Europe, I often find myself noticing subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that someone is American. The most obvious is the accent, but beyond that, there’s a specific energy that’s easy to spot.” ― Pons
“I somehow pick Americans out of a crowd, but I can’t put my finger on how. It’s something about how they’re built and how they’re dressed ― I really can’t articulate it. They’re just so essentially American that their Americanness shines, even in a culture where you’d think it would be harder to pick them out. Once upon a time, I think Americans just walked around with a certain air of confidence about them. They were proudly American, and you could tell in the way they walked. Nowadays, many conversations with Americans start with apologies. Their once-proud stance has been replaced with slightly hunched shoulders. Like they’re aware that tolerance for American politics is wavering around the world and they don’t want to take up too much space. But it’s still something about how Americans walk in the world that makes them recognizable.” ― Ösp ÓlafsdóttirThis article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Chris Christie says deputy AG interviewing Maxwell was ‘highly unusual’ and blasts Blanche for going alone
Chris Christie said Deputy AG Todd Blanche should have brought agents with him to his nine-hour meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell. Blanche was meeting with Maxwell over the investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case. Maxwell was convicted of sexual abuse against minors and sex trafficking after Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting a trial on similar charges. Some have called Maxwell to testify publicly and suggested she could be given a pardon for sharing what she knows about the case. Donald Trump has denied that he is considering it. The House Oversight Committee voted this week to issue a subpoena for Maxwell after the Justice Department announced its own plans to speak with her. The White House responded to the growing uproar almost immediately with attempts to divert the focus of the president’s MAGA base with threats against Rosie O’Donnell. The president has repeatedly insinuated that Democrats including Joe Biden tampered with evidence while Trump was out of office and that a cover-up is in the works. The Justice Department and FBI published a joint memo explaining that future releases from the files would not take place, and that the list of Epstein’s accomplices was not found.
Once considered by Trump as a potential candidate to serve as attorney general during his first presidency, Christie told ABC News’ This Week that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s direct involvement in interviewing Maxwell over the course of nine hours Thursday and Friday of last week was “highly unusual.”
He questioned whether Blanche, formerly a personal attorney for the president and a Trump loyalist, could be trusted to accurately convey what Maxwell said during their conversation.
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“I have never seen this done, ever,” Christie said. “The Deputy Attorney General runs the Department of Justice, they don’t interview witnesses.”
“When…anyone’s interviewing a witness, you bring at least one agent with you, if not two, so there are a number of people taking notes and there are witnesses there. We’ve heard nothing about whether Todd Blanche brought anyone with him to verify whatever he’s going to report back, as a third independent source. This is highly unusual.”
Christie also asserted that it wasn’t clear whether Blanche had aides or other federal attorneys with him for the conversation with Maxwell, or whether the Trump administration was truly interested in pursuing charges against potential co-conspirators named by sex offender Maxwell.
Chris Christie told ABC on Sunday that Todd Blanche should have brought agents with him to his nine-hour meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell. The Deputy AG was meeting with her over the investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case. (X – ABC News)
“For building a case– building a case for what? And against who? She’s in jail for 20 years, and her co-conspirator is dead. So what exactly are they doing?”
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The Independent reached out to the Department of Justice for comment and clarification on whether Blanche met with Maxwell alone.
Blanche has not commented publicly on the matter since Thursday, when he tweeted following his first meeting with Maxwell: “Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time.”
Some have called Maxwell to testify publicly and suggested she could be given a pardon for sharing what she knows about the Epstein case. Donald Trump has denied that he is considering it. Maxwell was convicted of sexual abuse against minors and sex trafficking after Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting a trial on similar charges.
Maxwell has seen renewed interest as calls mount for President Donald Trump to release more information in the case involving her and Epstein. (US District Court for the Southern District of New York)
The House Oversight Committee voted this week to issue a subpoena for Maxwell after the Justice Department announced its own plans to speak with her.
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Speculation about Epstein’s death and the so-called “Client List” of his co-conspirators erupted in early July. The Justice Department and FBI published a joint memo explaining that future releases from the files would not take place, and that the list of Epstein’s accomplices was not found. Epstein was rumored to have cultivated personal relationships with many powerful men.
Critics of the president have alleged that a cover-up is in the works regarding the Epstein files. Democrats have hammered the president for his administration’s reversal on releasing files from the investigation.
A pair of scoops this month from the Wall Street Journal reported on the president’s connections to Epstein, driving the accusations of the president’s involvement in a cover-up into a frenzy. The newspaper reported the contents of a message allegedly penned by Trump to Epstein as part of a 50th birthday celebration in 2003, including allusions to a shared “secret” between them. Trump firmly denied authoring the note, and sued the Journal and its reporters in response.
A second article from the Journal days later reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that he was mentioned in the Epstein investigation multiple times, but it was not clear in what context. The White House called that story “fake” and has repeatedly insinuated that Democrats including Joe Biden tampered with evidence while Trump was out of office.
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Being mentioned in the files does not guarantee wrongdoing, and hundreds of names are reportedly included.
The White House responded to the growing uproar almost immediately with attempts to divert the focus of the president’s MAGA base. On social media, Trump leveled threats against Rosie O’Donnell while his intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, released a memo accusing former President Barack Obama and his team of altering the conclusions of intelligence assessments concerning Russian election interference in 2016.
The latter issue has become the president’s weapon of choice for parrying questions about the Epstein issue, after he and Gabbard accused the former president of treason and attempting a “coup” — a telling charge given Trump’s involvement in the January 6 attack on the Capitol and the Biden Justice Department’s attempt to prosecute him for trying to illegally overturn the 2020 election.
“People should really focus on how well the country is doing, or they should focus on the fact that Barack Hussein Obama led a coup,” Trump told a reporter on Friday when questioned about Blanche’s marathon meeting with Maxwell.
Trump says US gave $60 million for food in Gaza – then complains he didn’t get a thank you
Donald Trump claims the US gave $60 million (£45 million) worth of food to Gaza. He said he deserved to be thanked for this and that no other country had done so. Mr Trump was speaking at a bilateral meeting in Scotland with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. He 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. He added that he was “not in a good mood” as he sat down with Ms Von der Leyan at the top of the bilateral meeting at Turnberry in Scotland. The US president said: “We’re meeting about a lot of things. We have our trade deal and it’s been a great deal.” He added: ‘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’
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.
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“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.
An aircraft drops humanitarian aid packages over the Gaza Strip, as seen from Israel (REUTERS)
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.
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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.
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“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.”
He added that he was “not in a good mood” as he sat down with Ms von der Leyen at the top of their bilateral meeting in Scotland.
It was put to him by journalists that he seemed in a good mood as he was questioned about the likelihood of the US and EU striking a trade deal.
He replied: “I’m actually not in a good mood, but I will tell you I think the chances are, yeah, I think Ursula would say, probably 50-50, of making a deal. I’d like to make a deal, I think it’s good for both, but yeah, I’d say 50-50.”
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He said there were “three or four sticking points that I’d rather not get in(to)” before his talks with the President of the European Commission.
Asked why he was in a bad mood and whether it was related to his day playing golf, Mr Trump said: “No, the golf was beautiful. Golf can never be bad… But no, I think I look forward to this meeting. You know, we’ve had a hard time with trade with Europe, very hard time, and I’d like to see it resolved. But if it isn’t we’ll, you know, have tariffs.”
He said “we’ll probably know in about an hour” whether a deal can be struck.