Former President Donald Trump’s call for expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza has ignited sharp divisions within the Republican Party, revealing a rare public rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deepening an already volatile debate on Capitol Hill over the U.S. response to the crisis.
Trump’s recent suggestion to establish food centers in Gaza to combat child starvation is a striking pivot from traditional Republican alignment with Israeli policy. His comments have drawn both praise and pushback from within the GOP — and exposed growing tensions over the party’s posture toward Israel and the mounting humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
Background
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack in October 2023. Israel’s subsequent military response and blockade have led to catastrophic food shortages, prompting condemnation from human rights groups and global leaders.
Trump, who has consistently championed an “America First” foreign policy, surprised many by calling for a more compassionate U.S. response, urging aid delivery to Gazan civilians suffering from hunger. His stance has put him at odds with Netanyahu, whose government has imposed tight restrictions on aid entering Gaza.
Legal Arguments and Policy Divides
Leading the internal GOP dissent is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who denounced the crisis as a “genocide” — a term the Israeli government forcefully rejects — and condemned her Republican colleague, Rep. Randy Fine of Florida, for saying Gazans should “starve away” until Hamas releases Israeli hostages.
“We must allow aid to enter Gaza,” said Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, breaking ranks with many Republicans. “Ending this hunger crisis will not only spare the lives of children but will strip Hamas of its ability to use innocent children as pawns.”
Others, like Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., strongly disagreed. “No,” Graham said when asked whether he supported labeling the situation as genocide or increasing aid. “Congress shouldn’t be doing more.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., echoed a conditional approach: “If they would let the hostages go, they’d get a lot more food.”
Government Response and Divided Senate
Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., voiced support for Trump’s call to provide food assistance, indicating a rare alignment with the former president on humanitarian policy.
“When you see people hurting… the instinct is to want to help,” Thune said. “But we also want to see the hostages freed and the reign of Hamas ended.”
Some Republicans have dodged the topic altogether. Senators Jim Risch of Idaho, Todd Young of Indiana, and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska declined to comment when approached Tuesday.
Democrats, meanwhile, remain largely unified in advocating for more humanitarian relief. On Tuesday, 40 Senate Democrats sent a letter urging the Trump administration to expand food aid to Gaza.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said, “We need the hostages released… and we have to be sure we address the suffering in Gaza.”
Broader Context
The GOP’s internal rupture comes at a time when the party has generally embraced unwavering support for Israel. Trump’s break from Netanyahu is especially significant, given their once-close relationship. Several Republican senators have increasingly criticized Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid, though others remain staunchly in its corner.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., rejected Greene’s genocide claims and accused critics of Israel of harboring antisemitism. “If it wasn’t for the First Amendment, how would we know who the fools are?” he quipped.
Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Peter Welch, and Angus King also criticized the Netanyahu government’s restrictions on aid. King, who caucuses with Democrats, said he was “through voting for support for Israel as long as there are starving children in Gaza.”
Next Steps
With Senate Republicans continuing to confirm Trump-backed nominees during the summer recess, Democrats are pressing for hearings on the worsening Gaza crisis. Welch suggested that “ending the suffering in Gaza” should be prioritized over routine confirmations.
Sen. Tim Kaine called the current U.S. aid efforts “a brutal fantasy,” and warned that failing to act could prolong suffering and damage America’s global reputation.
Despite bipartisan frustration, no clear legislative proposal has emerged. As the conflict grinds on, Trump’s humanitarian overture may test the boundaries of Republican orthodoxy — and signal a shift in U.S. politics surrounding Israel, aid, and war.