Izzat al-Rishq, a top Hamas official, said Trump's remarks "blatantly echo" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's "narrative and lies," in an Arabic statement released on Monday on Telegram. The Israeli leader previously dismissed claims that his government had been pursuing a policy of starvation in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the Hamas militant group had become difficult to deal with in recent days, but he was talking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about "various plans" to free hostages still held in the enclave.

Hamas issued a scathing statement in which it rejected U.S. criticism of its handling of negotiations aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza.

President Donald Trump accused Hamas of “stealing” the food and aid meant for the Palestinians suffering from hunger in Gaza. Trump was in Turnberry, Scotland, along with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen when reporters asked about the recent aid distribution in Gaza.

Only a few weeks ago, President Donald Trump seemed confident a deal was days away that would end the fighting in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and allow aid to flow into an enclave where people are starving to death.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff blames Hamas as Gaza ceasefire talks stall yet again, bringing no hope for Palestinian children who are "starving to death."

The rupture comes amid growing pressure on Israel over dire circumstances in the enclave, and as two Israeli human rights groups characterized the Israeli operation in Gaza as a genocide.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Israel to get people food, seemingly recalibrating his stance on Gaza as images of emaciated children have sparked renewed worries about hunger in the war-torn territory.