Steve Witkov, President Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, is set to visit an aid distribution site in Gaza, which has faced significant issues following a tragic incident that left 48 people dead while waiting for food on Wednesday.
During his journey to Israel, Witkov spoke about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, especially as the United States and other nations have urged the refugee population to seek food, as many are experiencing severe hunger.
His visit will include a stop at a contentious distribution site managed by the US-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to reports.
A US official indicated that the president is keen to understand the humanitarian situation in Gaza better to increase support for its civilian population.
The United Nations Office for Human Rights has raised concerns about the GHF site, which, while protected by armed Israeli soldiers, has been criticized for not adhering to humanitarian standards, with over 1,000 Palestinians reportedly losing their lives while trying to access food.
This site has been the primary means through which Palestinians can receive aid since Israel lifted its total lockdown earlier this spring.
Following global outcry regarding the dire conditions in Gaza, Israel eased some restrictions; however, accessing aid remains perilous—evidenced by the fatalities and injuries from the crowd at the Jikim crossing on Wednesday.
Local reports indicate that at least 46 additional Palestinians were killed due to Israeli strikes and shootings, with many of those casualties occurring within the crowd itself.
While Israeli forces have previously justified such actions to protect staff at distribution sites, they have yet to comment on the recent violence.
Additionally, seven more children tragically died on Wednesday due to malnutrition, according to the local health ministry.
In the context of the Gaza crisis, Witkov plans to engage in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about broader policies, including the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Last week, he withdrew his team from Qatar, accusing Hamas of being “selfish” in negotiations and signaling that the US and Israel might consider different strategies for addressing the situation involving the remaining hostages in Gaza.
