DONALD Trump has spoken of a mystery plan with Israel to end the war in Gaza and “real starvation” hitting the Palestinian enclave.

The US President was pressed by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on the US taking a bigger role in helping stop the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

As the two leader’s convened at Trump’s Scottish golf course, Turnberry, Starmer was quick to insist that Gaza would be a key topic in their meeting, calling what’s occurring “a desperate situation”.

Trump then expressed empathy with people in the Palestinian enclave and said the US would work with other countries to provide more humanitarian assistance to its citizens, including food and sanitation.

The US President vowed to set up food centres across Gaza – insisting: “We want to get the children fed.”

He described the scenes as “terrible” – adding: “We have to help on a humanitarian basis.”You have a lot of starving people.

“We’re going to set up food centres, and we’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people.

“We’re going to set up food centres where the people can walk in and no boundaries, we’re not going to have fences.”

Trump said the UK and other nations were joining the effort as the crisis deepened.

He also distanced himself from comments made by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted there was no starvation in Gaza.

Netanyahu had said on Sunday: “There is no policy of starvation in Gaza and there is no starvation in Gaza.”

Asked if he agreed with the Israeli PM, Trump said: “I don’t know. I mean, based on television, I would say not, particularly because those children look very hungry.”

But he warned hopes of a ceasefire were diminishing because of Hamas’ reluctance to hand over the remaining Israeli hostages taken on October 7.

Trump said: “Hamas has become very difficult to deal with in the last couple of days because they don’t want to give up these last 20.

“They think as long as they have them, they have protection.

“When they give them up, they no longer have a shield.

“But I don’t think it’s going to work that way.”We have to help on a humanitarian basis before we do anything. We have to get the kids fed.

“So much, when you do something there, gets taken by Hamas. Or somebody.”

Israel has since introduced daily humanitarian pauses in three areas of Gaza, new safe corridors for aid convoys, and airdrops.

Sir Keir said the situation on the ground in Gaza was “absolutely intolerable” and described images of starving children as “revolting”.

He went on: “There is a sense of revulsion in the British public at what they are seeing.

“We need to galvanize other countries in support of getting that aid in, and yes, that does involve putting pressure on Israel, because it absolutely is a humanitarian catastrophe.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres echoed his comments at a meeting boycotted by the US and Israel.

He said: “The wholesale destruction of Gaza is intolerable…and must stop.” 

On Monday, the Gaza health ministry said at least 14 people had died in the past 24 hours of starvation and malnutrition, bringing the war’s death toll from hunger to 147, including 89 children.

The prime minister wants Washington’s help in convincing Israel to allow more aid into Gaza and attempting to end what Downing Street called the unspeakable suffering and starvation.

Britain, along with France and Germany, has criticised Israel for withholding essential humanitarian assistance as hunger spreads in Gaza.

Over the weekend, Starmer said Britain will take part in efforts led by Jordan to airdrop aid after Israel temporarily eased restrictions.