Trump acknowledges Gazans are 'starving' but defends Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged that Palestinians in Gaza are "starving" but defended Benjamin Netanyahu , saying the Israeli Prime Minister was in a "tough situation". "Gaza is a nasty place," Mr Trump told Fox News, adding "it’s been that way for years". Mr Trump said that "one of the three great leaders " he had met with on his trip to the Gulf this week had asked him to "please help the people, the Palestinians". As to Mr Netanyahu, he said that it was important to remember the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking scores hostage . "It was one of the most violent days in the history of the world. He has that problem. That problem should have never happened," he said. More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's war in Gaza. The Israeli military began its campaign after Hamas-led militants attacked the south of Israel and killed about 1,200 people. Mr Trump added that he has " already started working " on a solution to solve the crisis in Gaza. Washington announced in recent days that the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation would be getting food into the enclave by the end of May. The mechanism, which was approved by the Israeli security cabinet, will have US contractors protected by the Israeli military delivering aid in certain parts of the enclave to ensure it does not fall into the hands of Hamas. The UN and aid organisations have criticised the new plans , saying they militarise humanitarian assistance. "One way or the other, I'll get it solved. It's either going to be done nicely or it's going to be done violently," Mr Trump said. He added that the leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar would "absolutely" need to be part of the solution to the situation in Gaza , calling the leaders of the three countries "really good people". "We're closer now to them [the Gulf countries] than ever before," Mr Trump said. "There's a relationship that I have with all three [leaders of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar] that's very extraordinary." As to sanctions on Syria , Mr Trump said that he had removed the economic measures following intervention from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman . "I hadn't thought about it much," he said. "He [Prince Mohammed] said, 'they can't make it with those sanctions." The US announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria during Mr Trump's trip to the Gulf, with the US President saying it was the new government in Damascus's "time to shine". Mr Trump acknowledged the "tough past" of new Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara - a former militant leader whose Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group ousted Bashar Al Assad from power last December - but said "are you going to put a choir boy in that position?" During the interview, Mr Trump reiterated his plans to accept a new luxury plane from Qatar to replace the current Air Force One, saying the negative reaction in the US "insulted" Emir Sheikh Tamim. "He made a gift to help somebody that has helped them. It was so nice as a gesture," Mr Trump said. The President said "this plane is not for me, this goes to the United States Air Force for whoever is president", adding that it would be a stand-in until Boeing produces the promised two planes for the White House. Mr Trump also claimed during the interview that James Comey , the former director of the FBI, had called for his assassination. Mr Comey posted a photo on Instagram that showed seashells arranged into the numbers “86 47". He wrote: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” In American bars and restaurants, 86 is slang for denying service to or ejecting a customer. In police circles, it can be interpreted as a code for murder. Mr Trump is the 47th US President. Mr Trump fired Mr Comey in 2017. The President said the former FBI head “knew exactly” what the numbers meant. “A child knows what that meant. If you're the FBI director and you don't know what that meant? That meant assassination. And it says it loud and clear,” Mr Trump said in an interview with Fox News. “Our country has become respected again … and he's calling for the assassination of the President.” Mr Comey took the posting down and said he didn't know some people associated 86 with political violence. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said US police are investigating the alleged threat.

Trump acknowledges Gazans are 'starving' but defends Netanyahu

President calls leaders of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar 'really good people', saying US-Gulf relationship 'closer than ever'