Trump’s envoy to Israel on what binds the two countries
Acute malnutrition and starvation surged in Gaza in the past few months, according to aid groups and NBC News’ crew in the enclave who interviewed health workers and families who described a growing number of children dying from a lack of adequate food. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 361 people have died due to malnutrition, including 130 children.
Huckabee told NBC News that while there were hungry people in Gaza, he thought “there is a big mistake in saying there is massive starvation and it’s Israel’s fault.”
The ambassador, who wore a yellow ribbon pin on his suit jacket lapel in support of the hostages held in Gaza, said the hostages were starving, “and I wish there was a little more attention focused on them.”
Israel has also challenged the IPC’s methodology and findings, which it called a “lie,” maintaining that it was allowing enough aid into Gaza but claiming Hamas was commandeering much of it. The IPC has denied that it changed its methodology.
While past U.S. presidents and administrations have criticized the government of Israel, America has for decades been a fierce defender of the country and provided billions of dollars in military aid. Trump is among Israel’s staunchest supporters, backing Israel’s military actions in Gaza even while calling for an end to the war. Meanwhile his special envoy Steve Witkoff has led American efforts to broker a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
On Aug. 26, Trump said the Israel-Hamas war would reach a “conclusive ending” soon, adding that a big “diplomatic push” was underway.
Israel nonetheless continued military operations in the enclave and last month announced a new offensive in northern Gaza, adding to a death toll that Palestinian health officials say has reached close to 65,000 since. Israel launched its military campaign after the Hamas-led terror attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, which saw 1,200 people killed and over 250 people taken hostage. Of the 12 hostages who were Americans, the remains of two are believed to still be held in Gaza.
“We are connected to Israel through this war, because it was not just Israel that was attacked, Americans were,” Huckabee said.
When asked how he squared Trump’s two-to-three-week timeline to end the war with Israel’s military offensive against Gaza City, Huckabee was vague.
“I don’t have a clear understanding of how it all plays out. I know that the president would have liked for this to have ended 22 months ago, but I am confident that the Israelis would have liked for it to have ended 22 months ago as well,” he told NBC News.
Were there any tensions between the two governments?
“There is not a tension as much as an ongoing mutual frustration that it has been very difficult to get Hamas to come to terms,” he said. “And there is a mutual frustration that the world puts more blame on Israel than it does on Hamas.”
After almost two years of fighting, which has seen much of Gaza destroyed and widespread displacement of the population, Hamas and Israel remain at odds over a deal that would end the war and see the release of the remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.