US Envoy Steve Witkoff to Inspect Gaza Food Crisis
| By Update 24 News
Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, is scheduled to visit Gaza on Friday to inspect food distribution points, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. He will be accompanied by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Their mission includes finalizing plans to deliver additional food supplies and meeting local Gazans to understand the critical situation on the ground.
Witkoff, currently visiting Israel, also had a productive meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The health ministry run by Hamas in Gaza reported that 111 people died in the 24 hours before Thursday noon, with 91 of those casualties occurring while seeking aid. A hospital official told the BBC that over 50 Palestinians were killed and 400 injured while waiting for food near a northern Gaza crossing on Wednesday.
Video footage shows casualties being transported on carts to al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. The Hamas Civil Defence agency accused Israeli forces of firing on crowds around aid trucks. The Israeli military acknowledged firing warning shots but stated they were unaware of any casualties.
Israeli officials have warned that if no progress is made soon on a ceasefire and hostage release, harsher measures might be taken against Hamas, including possible annexation of parts of Gaza.
Following Witkoff’s arrival in Israel, former US President Donald Trump urged on social media for Hamas to surrender and release hostages to end the humanitarian crisis.
The visit comes as reports indicate that Witkoff will visit sites operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Gaza's health ministry also confirmed 111 deaths and 820 injuries due to Israel's military offensive in the past day.
Malnutrition remains a severe concern, with two recent deaths adding to a total of 159 since the war began, including 90 children. UN food security experts warn of an unfolding famine affecting Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
While UN agencies blame Israel for creating a man-made famine by controlling supply routes, Israel denies restrictions on aid and claims there is no starvation. Israel recently implemented measures including daily pauses in military operations and designated humanitarian corridors to facilitate aid delivery.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported air-dropping 43 food packages to southern and northern Gaza, pledging continued efforts alongside international partners.
Despite these efforts, the UN’s humanitarian office says the pauses are insufficient to meet the massive needs, and crowds desperately unload supplies from trucks at Israeli crossings.
On Wednesday, the director of al-Shifa hospital said they received bodies of 54 people killed near the Zikim crossing and treated 412 injured individuals. Hamas Civil Defence reported at least 30 deaths when Israeli troops fired on aid seekers.
The Palestinian Red Crescent also recorded casualties at two Gaza hospitals following the incident.
The Israeli military stated troops fired warning shots in response to perceived threats, but initial inquiries reported no casualties from IDF fire. Details are still being reviewed.
Due to Israeli restrictions on independent journalism, verifying events on the ground remains difficult. Witnesses spoke of targeted killings of Palestinians trying to get food, describing the situation as dire with shortages of basic necessities.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denied any killings at their distribution centers.
Tags: #Gaza #SteveWitkoff #IsraelNews #HumanitarianCrisis #MiddleEastNews
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