President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S. would help supply food to people in Gaza while blaming Hamas for the dire humanitarian situation in an enclave that has been devastated by more than 18 months of Israeli bombardments. Trump’s statement during a White House news conference came after Israel approved a plan to take more control of aid delivery as part of an effort to isolate Hamas — alarming the United Nations. 

The president did not address Israel’s aid plan but blamed conditions in Gaza on Hamas, which launched an attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that set off the war.

“If you look, Hamas is making it impossible. They are taking everything that’s brought in,” Trump said. “But we’re going to help the people of Gaza because they are being treated very badly by Hamas.”