Gaza-Strip — As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss urgent relief efforts. His visit comes amid reports that at least 91 Palestinians were killed and over 600 injured within a 24-hour period while attempting to access food and aid.
Witkoff, a close advisor to President Donald Trump, is joined by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. On Friday, they are expected to inspect aid delivery operations in Gaza, where scenes of desperation have become increasingly common.
Mounting Casualties Near Aid Points
The most severe incident occurred near Zikim crossing, where 54 people reportedly died while waiting for food. The Gaza Health Ministry has described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, with repeated fatalities among civilians queuing for basic supplies.
The Israeli military acknowledged the presence of large crowds around aid trucks but denied that its soldiers had caused injuries. Instead, officials stated that some of the gunfire may have originated from within the crowd itself, during skirmishes over supplies.
Meanwhile, aid airdrops in central Gaza — such as in Zawaida — have led to stampedes, as displaced families scramble for packages containing food and water. With border crossings still largely closed, air deliveries remain one of the few available means to reach civilians, though they are proving dangerous and insufficient.
Aid Supply Still Falling Short
Despite ongoing relief efforts, humanitarian agencies warn that the amount of aid reaching Gaza is far below what’s needed. On Wednesday, just 270 trucks entered the territory, compared to the 500–600 trucks aid organizations say are required daily.
Under growing international pressure, Israel has announced steps to ease aid restrictions. But critics argue that these measures are too slow and fall short of the needs on the ground.
Calls for Ceasefire Grow
During a parallel visit to Israel, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Israeli officials to allow greater humanitarian access and called for a ceasefire to address the worsening crisis. He reiterated Germany’s support for a two-state solution, emphasizing that recognition of a Palestinian state must come as part of a negotiated peace process.
Diplomatic Messaging and the Path Forward
Envoy Witkoff’s trip is his first direct meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since both the U.S. and Israel pulled their negotiation teams from Qatar last week. Witkoff has previously blamed Hamas for stalling peace efforts, calling on the group to surrender and release hostages to help resolve the crisis.
President Trump, posting on Truth Social, reinforced this view, stating that “Hamas holds the keys to peace” and urging immediate action to prevent further loss of life.
The Gaza conflict, now approaching its second year, began with the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which led to a broad Israeli military response. Since then, the war has claimed more than 60,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health authorities, and has severely impacted civilian infrastructure across the region.
