IRIA News

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, made a rare and high-profile visit to both Israel and the Gaza Strip on July 31, 2025, as the White House faces mounting pressure over Israel’s handling of humanitarian aid and the growing number of starvation-related deaths in Gaza.

Witkoff, a real estate developer-turned-diplomatic envoy, was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee as the two visited aid distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization accused by critics of mishandling food deliveries and operating under military protection that has, at times, resulted in the deaths of aid seekers.

The visit comes at a critical moment, with international outrage growing over reports that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since May while trying to access food, many at or near GHF aid sites.

Just one day before the visit, at least 54 Palestinians were killed while waiting for food, and over 600 others were wounded, according to medical personnel in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that 154 people, including 89 children, have died from famine and malnutrition in recent weeks alone.

‘To Learn the Truth’

Witkoff’s visit was officially described as a fact-finding mission. Ambassador Huckabee posted on social media that he joined Witkoff “to learn the truth” about the situation on the ground. “We received briefings from the IDF and spoke to folks on the ground,” Huckabee said in a post that included photos of the visit. “GHF delivers more than one million meals a day, an incredible feat!”

At @POTUS’s direction, @USAmbIsrael and I met yesterday with Israeli officials to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Today, we spent over five hours inside Gaza — level setting the facts on the ground, assessing conditions, and meeting with @GHFUpdates and other… pic.twitter.com/aCtLuMuhq1

— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) August 1, 2025

However, images from the ground show a humanitarian system under enormous strain. Videos shared by Palestinian media show injured civilians being hauled away in carts and ambulances, with hospitals in Rafah and northern Gaza overwhelmed and running low on supplies. Several witnesses reported gunfire near aid convoys and chaotic crowd scenes at distribution points, particularly along the Morag Corridor south of Khan Younis.

Israeli officials maintain that their troops have only used warning shots and deny direct responsibility for civilian deaths at aid locations. They also accuse Hamas of infiltrating distribution sites, further complicating humanitarian access. However, the high number of casualties and graphic footage continues to provoke international alarm.

White House response and planned aid package

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed before the trip that the visit was authorized by President Trump to secure a new food delivery plan and gather direct feedback from Palestinians.

“The special envoy and the ambassador will brief the president immediately after their visit to approve a final plan for food and aid distribution into the region,” Leavitt told reporters.

The White House is reportedly preparing to announce a new humanitarian aid package, which could be unveiled as early as Friday night. A U.S. official familiar with the discussions said the package would likely include expanded airdrops, additional funding to vetted NGOs, and a revised protocol for securing safe corridors for food convoys.

Witkoff’s direct involvement also signals Trump’s increased personal engagement in the Gaza file, especially after weeks of international headlines accusing Washington of turning a blind eye to the civilian toll of Israel’s military campaign.

Meeting with Netanyahu and ceasefire talks

Before entering Gaza, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday afternoon. The two reportedly discussed not only humanitarian access but also the collapse of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which had stalled the previous week.

According to Israeli media, Witkoff is also tasked with reviving those negotiations and exploring the potential for a multi-stage agreement involving both a cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages held in Gaza. President Isaac Herzog issued a formal statement welcoming Witkoff’s visit, describing him as a “key figure” in the broader effort to stabilize the region.

While the White House has yet to release official details about the meeting, U.S. sources confirmed that Trump is seeking a ceasefire framework that includes international guarantees for aid access, the return of hostages, and long-term security assurances for Israel.

Trump blames Hamas for the humanitarian crisis

Shortly after Witkoff’s arrival, President Trump posted on Truth Social, “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”

Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to expanding humanitarian relief, but reiterated his stance that Hamas remains the primary obstacle to peace and aid delivery.

More Palestinians killed by Israel

The envoy’s visit was overshadowed by a renewed wave of violence across Gaza. On August 1 alone, 37 more Palestinians were reported killed in Israeli strikes, including 12 individuals who were waiting for food near aid distribution centers. Over 80 others were wounded, including many children and elderly people, according to hospital staff.

Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system is on the verge of collapse, with many hospitals reporting that they are unable to treat new patients due to fuel shortages, damaged infrastructure, and a lack of medical supplies. Emergency responders have had to transport the wounded using donkey carts and wheelbarrows, as ambulances are either nonfunctional or unreachable in many areas.

CBS and other outlets report that the death toll is likely to rise further, as many victims remain trapped in rubble or have been taken to smaller field clinics that lack proper documentation and communication capabilities.

Global reaction and growing criticism

International NGOs, including the World Food Program and Médecins Sans Frontières, have issued repeated warnings about famine conditions and access restrictions in Gaza. Several UN agencies have also criticized both Israel’s conduct and the limited U.S. pressure applied so far.

European leaders, particularly in France and Ireland, have called for an international investigation into the deaths at aid sites, and human rights groups have accused both Israel and the GHF of operating in ways that endanger civilians.

In Washington, bipartisan concern is slowly building. Several U.S. lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to condition military aid to Israel on verifiable improvements in humanitarian access.

Steve Witkoff’s visit to Gaza, the first by a high-ranking U.S. official in months, underscores the urgency of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe and the diplomatic complexities surrounding it. As Washington seeks to maintain its alliance with Israel while responding to mounting global outrage, Witkoff’s findings and the Trump administration’s next steps will be closely watched both in the region and on the world stage.