According to two U.S. officials cited by NBC, Netanyahu dismissed reports of widespread hunger in Gaza, claiming they were manufactured by Hamas. Trump, however, cut him off and began shouting, saying, “I don’t want to hear it’s fake,” and insisted he had seen evidence presented by aides that confirmed real starvation among children. “You can’t fake that,” he later told reporters in Scotland, directly contradicting Netanyahu’s public denial.

The confrontation marked one of the sharpest public breaks between the two leaders over the war in Gaza. The White House did not issue an official comment, nor did Israeli officials.

In response to the growing crisis, Trump sent Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to the region to assess possible measures for expanding aid delivery, securing hostage releases, and finding a pathway to end the war. Officials said the U.S. feels a degree of responsibility for the situation due to its backing of GHF, which is involved in food delivery in Gaza.

The episode underscores internal tensions among Washington’s allies as pressure mounts to address the escalating humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.