Deir al-Balah, Aug 1: US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited a humanitarian aid distribution site in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Friday, as the region faces intensifying global scrutiny over mass starvation, aid shortages, and deadly incidents at distribution centers. Witkoff, joined by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, toured a site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), according to an official speaking anonymously.
The visit comes amid growing international outrage over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. All four GHF distribution sites are located in areas under Israeli military control and have become hotspots of desperation, where crowds of starving civilians scramble for limited aid. Hundreds have died in recent months, either from gunfire or trampling during chaotic aid deliveries.
The Israeli military claims it only fires warning shots to control crowds, while GHF states its contractors have used only pepper spray or warning shots to manage dangerous surges. However, the situation remains volatile and deadly.
Witkoff’s trip follows the US pulling out of ceasefire talks in Qatar, with officials blaming Hamas for stalled negotiations. The White House stated that Witkoff’s mission is to develop a more effective plan to deliver aid and alleviate suffering. President Trump reiterated on social media that the fastest resolution would be for Hamas to surrender and release the remaining hostages.
Gaza has been teetering on famine for two years. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that famine is now unfolding, exacerbated by a 2.5-month blockade that nearly halted aid entirely. Though deliveries have resumed—including some airdrops—they fall far short of the required volume. The collapse of security within Gaza has further disrupted distribution, with some aid stolen and sold at inflated prices.
A Human Rights Watch report released Friday described the current aid model as “flawed and militarised,” accusing it of turning humanitarian missions into “regular bloodbaths.” Neither Israel’s military nor its prime minister’s office responded to requests for comment.
The crisis is rooted in the war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, figures still regarded as credible by the UN and other international bodies. (AP)
