US Special Envoy Witkoff Visits Gaza Amid Increasing Deaths by Starvation

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, joined by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, made a rare trip on Friday, August 1, to inspect aid distribution centres in Gaza amid an intensifying humanitarian crisis.

Their visit aimed to assess dire food shortages and finalize plans for expanding humanitarian aid deliveries into the enclave.

The duo toured facilities operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S., and Israeli-backed organization, claiming to meet aid workers and civilians struggling with hunger and displacement, while being briefed by Israeli military officials.

U.N. officials and human rights groups have condemned the GHF-run aid sites, reporting that over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to access food since late May, even characterizing the sites as “death traps” or zones of “regular bloodbaths”.

Somber eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes: men and children fighting over scarce supplies like milk and flour, with Israeli troops opening fire on crowds desperate for basic sustenance. According to Al Jazeera, at least seven people were killed and dozens injured near the Morag Corridor distribution point alone on Friday morning.

The envoy’s visit came after high‑level discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the stated goal of accelerating both food and medical aid flows into Gaza, as well as exploring ceasefire and hostage exchange options.

In Washington, the White House confirmed that Witkoff’s findings would be used to refine a humanitarian plan to be approved by President Trump.

Although the Trump administration signaled urgency in addressing hunger, Trump himself stating “We want to help people... get people fed,” it continued to oppose recognition of Palestinian statehood and emphasized that the priority remained deterring Hamas and securing hostages.

As global condemnation grows, U.N. agencies and relief organizations warn that the modest uptick in aid coverage is nowhere near enough to meet needs. The unfolding crisis underscores concerns about the ethics and effectiveness of militarized aid distribution under blockade conditions.

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