Strained ties between Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu hampering the president's foreign strategy
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the international community is calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the blockade that has crippled the region for years. The crisis, marked by widespread famine, malnutrition, and destroyed infrastructure, has prompted a significant humanitarian response from various organizations.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is distributing food aid to over 1.3 million people, including fresh bread, canned foods, and ready-to-eat meals. Oxfam and partners are providing clean water to over 60,000 displaced people and repairing water and sanitation infrastructure for 40,000 others. They also offer solid waste collection and mental health services. Hospitals are overwhelmed treating malnourished children, with at least 16 children under five having died of hunger recently.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) calls for adherence to international humanitarian law, civilian protection, scaling up aid deliveries, and a ceasefire as the best way to enable safe humanitarian access and life-saving operations. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that Gaza is "on the brink of famine" and experiencing a "humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions" due to two years of escalating conflict following Hamas attacks in October 2023.
As the initial 50-day deadline for negotiations failed to draw Russian President Vladimir Putin back to the table, US President Donald Trump has personally decided to ramp up pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has spoken directly with Netanyahu regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, telling him he may need to approach the war "in a different way."
Trump's comments condemning the lack of resources being made available to the people of Gaza served as a major break with Netanyahu, who stated there is no starvation in Gaza. Trump's relationship with Netanyahu has seen its ups and downs, including a falling-out over Netanyahu's acceptance of Biden's victory in 2020.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has worked to persuade Trump to use his influence to help alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, including calling on the president to apply pressure on Netanyahu. Some of Trump's other counterparts hold out hope he may employ his leverage on Netanyahu to do more to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
Israel's military has begun "humanitarian pauses" in densely populated parts of Gaza and opened corridors for UN convoys to make aid deliveries. However, the impact of these efforts remains limited by persistent conflict, blockades, and insufficient safe access. Many organizations stress that a ceasefire and cessation of sieges are critical to fully alleviate the crisis and allow uninterrupted humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
The war in Gaza continues amid this dire humanitarian crisis, testing Trump's patience. His frustration with Putin's lack of progress in negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine has led him to increase pressure. Trump claims Putin tells him one thing, then does another regarding the war in Ukraine. First lady Melania Trump was particularly affected by the images of starving children in Gaza and played a key role in Trump's shifting rhetoric.
Trump has moved up the deadline for Russia to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine, giving Putin 10 days instead of the initial 50. Trump's chances for a Nobel Peace Prize are impeded by the unresolved conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Trump has grown frustrated that he can't seem to solve the crises any better than former President Joe Biden.
Despite these challenges, White House officials have stated that Trump is dedicated to working with Israel to help solve the famine in Gaza. As the crisis deepens, the international community continues to watch closely to see how Trump will navigate these complex issues.
- The World Food Programme (WFP) is not only distributing food aid in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, but they are also providing fresh bread, canned foods, and ready-to-eat meals.
- Hospitals in Gaza are not only treating malnourished children, but at least 16 children under five have died of hunger recently.
- While the US President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to return to the negotiation table.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is working to persuade Trump to use his influence to help alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, and some of Trump's other counterparts hold out hope he may employ his leverage on Netanyahu to do more.
- In addition to the war-and-conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Trump's chances for a Nobel Peace Prize are being impeded by the unresolved crises.
- Trump's relationship with sports, such as basketball, is not mentioned, but his focus on solving crises, like the famine in Gaza, shows his commitment to broader issues, including general-news, crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, and migration.
