Trump Envoy Visits Gaza Amidst Mounting Evidence of Starvation and Violence at Aid Sites
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened this week as Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, toured the besieged territory and witnessed firsthand the conditions surrounding controversial food distribution sites where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. The visit came as international pressure mounts over months of Israeli-imposed aid restrictions contributing to widespread starvation.
Witkoff, a former real estate lawyer with no prior experience in foreign policy or humanitarian aid, stated on X that he spent over five hours in Gaza to “gain a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.” His trip followed a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The visit, however, raises serious questions about the credibility of proposed aid increases, particularly given the involvement of senior Israeli figures and the apparent absence of leading international aid officials. Chapin Fay, a spokesperson for the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), asserted that the envoy’s presence signaled Trump’s commitment to the crisis, emphasizing that “feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority.”
Escalating Violence and Accusations of “Death Traps”
Hours after Witkoff’s visit, Palestinian medics reported that Israeli forces fatally shot three Palestinians near a GHF distribution site on the outskirts of Gaza City. While it remains unclear if this incident occurred at the same location Witkoff visited, it underscores the escalating violence surrounding aid delivery.
The GHF sites have come under intense scrutiny, with Human Rights Watch labeling them “death traps” and scenes of regular “bloodbaths.” The UN has reported that Israeli forces have killed nearly 900 Palestinians attempting to reach these sites. Belkis Wille, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch, condemned the situation on Friday, stating: “US-backed Israeli forces and private contractors have put in place a flawed, militarised aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.”
Trump Pledges Aid, But Details Remain Vague
Former President Trump echoed his intention to increase aid to Gaza during a phone call with Axios, stating, “We want to help people. We want to help them live. We want to get people fed. It is something that should have happened long time ago.” However, it remains unclear whether his administration intends to expand the operations of the GHF or pursue alternative aid delivery methods.
Reporting Restrictions and the Humanitarian Crisis
The ability to accurately report on the situation in Gaza remains severely constrained. Israel has barred foreign reporters from entering the Gaza Strip independently since October 7, 2023, restricting access to those accompanying the Israeli military. This limits independent verification of events and restricts communication with Palestinians on the ground.
As Emma Graham-Harrison, chief Middle East correspondent, notes, ensuring accurate reporting requires collaboration with trusted local journalists, verification of visual materials, and reliance on data from established organizations with a proven track record in conflict zones.
UN Reports Widespread Desperation and Mounting Death Toll
The UN reported on Friday that Israeli forces have killed 1,353 Palestinians waiting for food – 859 near GHF sites and 514 along UN aid convoy routes. The Gaza health ministry reported 83 deaths and 554 injuries from IDF fire in the past 24 hours, with 53 fatalities and over 400 injuries occurring among those seeking humanitarian assistance.
A UN spokesperson explained that Israeli policies have created a level of desperation where aid convoys are overwhelmed and looted before reaching warehouses. Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), emphasized the need for a “sustained flow of aid over a period of time” to build confidence among Palestinians. While airdrops have resumed, aid experts caution that they are insufficient to address the widespread starvation.
Hostage Crisis and Potential Escalation
Amidst the humanitarian crisis, Hamas released a video on Friday showing an emaciated Israeli hostage, identified as Evyatar David, captured during the Nova music festival attack on October 7, 2023. Of the 251 hostages initially taken, 49 remain in Gaza, with 27 presumed dead. Israeli officials have warned that a failure to achieve progress in hostage negotiations in the coming days could lead to an expansion of military operations in Gaza.
Famine Grips Gaza Amidst Aid Restrictions
International agencies and experts have declared that famine has taken hold in Gaza following Israel’s restrictions on aid entry for two and a half months, beginning in March. While Israel has eased the blockade since late May, the amount of aid allowed in – approximately 70 trucks per day – remains far below the 500-600 trucks deemed necessary by UN agencies. Despite claims from Netanyahu and other officials that there is “no hunger in Gaza,” the UN’s food security monitor has provided incontrovertible evidence of the spread of famine resulting from Israel’s policies, a practice critics condemn as using starvation as a weapon.
