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Trump's envoy promises more humanitarian aid after visit to Gaza
As famine deepens in Gaza, Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, visited the war-ravaged territory on Friday, pledging increased humanitarian assistance. His trip comes amid growing international pressure on Israel over the mounting civilian death toll in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Ahead of the visit, the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) strongly criticized the humanitarian delivery system established by Israel and the U.S. through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), calling it a “death trap” for civilians.
Nearly 22 months into the conflict that erupted after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the Gaza Strip is reportedly on the brink of "widespread famine," according to the UN. The region is now entirely reliant on humanitarian aid.
Despite the urgent needs, Israeli bombings continued on Friday, with 22 Palestinians reported killed — eight of them while waiting for aid, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense.
During his visit, Witkoff, accompanied by U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, toured a GHF aid site. "Our aim was to gather accurate information and deliver food and medical aid to Gaza’s people," Witkoff said on X (formerly Twitter). Axios reported that Trump is personally working on a plan to “feed the people” of Gaza.
The GHF began operating in late May, bypassing UN channels after Israel’s three-month total blockade. According to the UN, 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while waiting for aid, including 859 near GHF sites — most allegedly by Israeli forces.
HRW’s latest report condemns the system as “militarized,” saying it has led to mass killings. The Israeli army said it is reviewing the claims but reaffirmed that harming civilians, especially children, is prohibited.
Amid ongoing aerial drops of food and over 200 aid trucks reportedly sent on Thursday, the UN notes that 6,000 more trucks await Israeli approval.
Meanwhile, Witkoff met with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces dual pressure: to eliminate Hamas and to secure the release of remaining hostages from the October 7 attack, which left 1,219 Israelis dead and 251 kidnapped — 49 of whom remain captive in Gaza.
On Friday, Hamas released a video showing a visibly weak Israeli hostage. The authenticity and timing of the footage have not been verified.
Additionally, a BBC investigation reported over 160 children were shot during the war, with 95 hit in the head or chest. Witnesses claim 57 were targeted by Israeli forces. The Israeli military said any intentional harm to civilians, especially children, is strictly forbidden.
