“I have seen the tapes,” he went on. “Babies that are four months old, just chopped up to pieces. You’ve seen the tapes and I’ve seen the tapes – you’re a professional and so am I.
He added: “People forget about October 7th. I can’t forget about it.”
Trump, who also revealed that he disagrees with Starmer’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, went on to explain: “I want it to end, but I want the hostages back. I don’t want the hostages used as human shields, which is what Hamas is threatening to do.”
Jumping in, Peston pushed the President once more, asking: “But as soon as they’re back, that’s the moment you will tell Netanyahu to stop?”
“It would certainly help,” Trump replied, adding: “But I have to have the hostages back. And I don’t want them back piecemeal, as I said before. I want them back.”
Starmer is expected to formally announce the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state this weekend after Trump's departure later today.
His decision to wait until Trump leaves has been criticised by Labour backbencher Rosena Allin-Khan, who has called on the prime minister to make discussing the situation in Gaza with Trump a "top priority".
