Trump Shouted Down Netanyahu for Trying to Convince Him Gaza Starvation Is Fake

(Justin Lane/Pool Photo via AP)

President Donald Trump began “yelling” at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a private phone call between the pair late last month, as the president angrily rejected the foreign leader’s claims that reports of starvation in Gaza were fabricated.

“There is no policy of starvation in Gaza. And there is no starvation in Gaza,” Netanyahu said during an event in Jerusalem on July 27, according to NBC News.

He insisted that reports of starvation in the territory were invented by Hamas.

Trump was asked about Netanyahu’s remarks the following day while on his trip to Scotland, and told reporters that children in Gaza “look very hungry” and that there was “real starvation” there that “you can’t fake.”

After hearing the president’s comments, Netanyahu demanded a call with Trump and the two connected by phone hours later.

Trump then reportedly cut Netanyahu off and began yelling that he did not want to hear it, citing photographic evidence presented by his aides showing malnourished children.

The diplomatic blow-up comes as concern rises internationally over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and growing disillusionment with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the U.S.- and Israeli-backed aid program that has been widely criticized for limited distribution and proximity to Israeli forces.

Gaza’s Health Minister reported that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food.

Undeterred by mounting pressure from Western allies, the Israeli government is now preparing for a new ground offensive into Gaza City.