President Donald Trump said he does not believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza on Sunday, but is fighting a war.

“I don’t think it’s that. They’re in a war,” Trump responded to a reporter who asked him if he’s seen evidence of genocide in Gaza.

The president went on to point out that Hamas’s October 7 massacre was a “horrible, horrible thing,” adding that it was “one of the worst” he’s ever seen.

“I’ve seen some bad things, but October 7th with Hamas was really, really bad,” he said.

Trump says he does not believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza:

“I don’t think it’s that. They’re in a war.” pic.twitter.com/2sb1bZMK4y

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) August 4, 2025

Trump’s remarks come as the media, activist groups, and some countries have made accusations of genocide. Israel has rejected such accusations, stating that it does not intentionally target civilians and takes measures to evacuate them from combat zones.

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Trump added that the United States is making serious efforts to help get goods into Gaza.

“We’re putting up money to get the people fed,” he said, likely referring to the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site. “We don’t want people going hungry, and we don’t want people to starve.”

Israel has denied that there is mass starvation in the Gaza Strip but has vowed to help increase food aid.

Steve Witkoff, the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, and Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, toured a GHF site on Friday as the foundation marked the distribution of its 100 millionth meal.

Witkoff, who sported a Make America Great Again hat, said the purpose of the visit was to give Trump “a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.”

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GHF is responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump’s aid initiative, which aims to deliver humanitarian aid directly to Gazan civilians while preventing Hamas from intercepting supplies — a challenge that has persisted since the war began.

“President Trump understands the stakes in Gaza and that feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority,” GHF Spokesperson Chapin Fay said in a statement. “Today he sent his envoy to serve as his eyes and ears on the ground, reflecting his deep concern and commitment to doing what’s right.”

On Monday, GHF distributed 1,718,640 meals, bringing its total since May 26 to 106,546,842.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reportedly approved a plan on Monday for Israel to fully occupy the Gaza Strip. The plan includes having the Israeli Defense Forces operating in areas where hostages are believed to be held despite Hamas’s threats to murder hostages if forces get too close, The Jerusalem Post reported. 

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The decision came after Hamas tanked ceasefire negotiations last month, leading to Trump saying the terror group “wants to die.”

“They pulled out in terms of negotiation,” Trump said. “It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die and it’s very, very bad. It got to be to a point where you’re going to finish the job.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed Monday evening that a plan has been developed for Israel to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media.

The plan will include the Israel Defense Forces operating in areas where hostages are believed to be held despite Hamas’s threats to murder hostages if forces get too close, The Jerusalem Post reported. Hamas killed six hostages last September — including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin— in Rafah shortly before the IDF reached them.

The Prime Minister’s office also encouraged IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, to resign from his position if he disagrees with a full occupation.

“If this does not suit him, you should resign,” the office reportedly said.

The decision came after Hamas tanked ceasefire negotiations last month, leading to President Donald Trump saying the terror group “wants to die.”

“They pulled out in terms of negotiation,” Trump said. “It was too bad. Hamas didn’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die and it’s very, very bad. It got to be to a point where you’re going to finish the job.”

Trump added that Hamas did not want to make a deal because they are down to the final 50 hostages and “they know what happens after you get the final hostages.”

Witkoff said the ceasefire talks fell through because Hamas was not acting “in good faith.”

“We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,” Witkoff wrote. “It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.”

Over the past few days, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released videos of severely malnourished hostages, including one of Evyatar David, who the terror organization forced to dig his own grave.

“This is the grave I think I’m going to be buried in. Time is running out,” David said in the video.

Hamas has reportedly barred the Red Cross from delivering food to hostages unless Israel permanently opens humanitarian corridors and suspends all air traffic during such deliveries, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The IDF has been finishing up its operation dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots” in recent weeks and has withdrawn its elite 98th Division, made up of paratroopers and commando units, along with two reserve brigades, reported the Times of Israel.

The operation led to the IDF gaining control of approximately 75% of the Gaza Strip. Since the launch of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, 48 IDF soldiers have been killed.