White House Says Details Of US Latest Aid Plan For Gaza Will Soon Be Announced

Gazans while waiting for aid distribution by GHF. (Twitter/@IhabHassane)

JAKARTA - White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told The Times of Israel details about a new aid plan for the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which US President Donald Trump promised would soon be known.

President Trump earlier this week said many people in Gaza were starving, suggesting Israel to do more for humanitarian access, planning to create food centers.

"President Trump wants to ease the suffering of the Gaza people, because he has a human heart. He announced a new aid plan to help Gazans gain important access to food, details will soon be announced," he explained.

Earlier, President Trump in a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said, "We will establish food centers where people can enter without restrictions."

"Right now, people only see food from thirty yards, but they put up a fence so no one can get it. Crazy," said President Trump.

Speaking to reporters at Air Force One on Tuesday, President Trump was asked when the new food centers would be established.

"Immediately," he replied, adding that Uncle Sam's country had donated USD 60 million for that purpose.

He appears to be referring to the US$30 million that has been donated to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). It is unclear whether the new food center he is talking about will be linked to the three food centers already managed by the GHF.

When asked who would manage the food centers, Trump replied: "We will deal with Israel."

Israel itself has so far been trying to avoid managing aid distribution centers directly, and prefers that the IDF (Israeli military) secure the perimeter around it.

President Trump said he last spoke with PM Netanyahu two days ago, and the Israeli prime minister also wanted food to be distributed properly to Gazans.

"We think (Israel) can do well. They want to lead these food centers to ensure their distribution is right," said President Trump.

"They don't want Hamas to steal money or steal food (Israel) will do well. Food will be (distributed) properly," he added.