‘They’re in a war there’: Trump rejects claims of genocide in Gaza

Referring to the recent violence between Thailand and Cambodia, he continued: “They had thousands of people being dead already at the border. But October 7 with Hamas was really, really bad.”

But the president said he wants Gazans fed, days after saying that there is “real starvation” in the enclave.

“We’re the only country that’s really doing that. We’re putting up money to get the people fed. And [Middle East envoy] Steve Witkoff is doing a great job, and we want Israel to get them fed. We’re giving some pretty big contributions, basically to purchase food,” said Trump.

“We don’t want people going hungry; we don’t want people to starve,” he added.

Likewise, in an interview with Mark Levin on Fox News later that day, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee firmly rejected allegations of genocide or deliberate starvation.

“If Israel is committing genocide, they are really bad at it. They’re terrible at doing genocide,” he declared. “There is one reason they are suffering in Gaza …, it’s because of Hamas. They are a terror organisation and they’ve acted like it."

It comes after Witkoff, following a visit to aid distribution sites in Gaza, declared that there was “no starvation” in the territory, seemingly contradicting the president – though he said he had been sent by the White House to determine the facts ion the ground.

Addressing a meeting of hostage families in Israel, he said: "There is hardship and shortage, but no starvation.

Once we refute this Hamas claim, we can continue negotiations to end the war and bring back all the hostages."

"Our first priority is to bring all the hostages home. President Trump believes everyone should come out, and those who are alive must be kept alive. This is a sacred mission to him,” he added.