Deir al-Balah, July 31: President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Israel amid growing international concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His visit comes as the death toll of Palestinians attempting to access aid has sharply increased, with at least 91 killed and over 600 wounded in the past 24 hours. One of the deadliest incidents occurred near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, where 54 people were reportedly killed during a chaotic aid distribution.
According to the Israeli military, warning shots were fired into the air when Palestinians surrounded aid trucks, but it denied causing any injuries. A security official, speaking anonymously, claimed the gunfire may have originated from within the crowd during violent scuffles between Palestinians desperate for food and resources. Due to the limited capacity of northern Gaza’s hospitals, the current casualty figures may still be incomplete, with many victims yet to be accounted for.
Witkoff is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the disintegrating humanitarian situation and explore prospects for a ceasefire.
This meeting marks their first official encounter since both the U.S. and Israeli negotiation teams withdrew from talks in Qatar a week earlier. Witkoff previously stated that Hamas’ latest response showed “a lack of desire” to reach a truce, signaling frustration with the stalled negotiations.
The ongoing war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive. While some hostages have been released during temporary ceasefires, many are still unaccounted for.
Under mounting international pressure, Israel has announced new measures to improve the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
However, aid organizations argue these steps are insufficient. They warn that Gaza is facing extreme shortages of food, medical supplies, and other essentials, with the region teetering on the brink of famine for the past two years.
The international community continues to criticize Israel over the scale of civilian suffering, urging both sides to pursue a ceasefire. Witkoff’s visit is seen as a diplomatic effort to address the crisis and potentially revive negotiations aimed at halting the conflict and expanding humanitarian relief. (PTI)
