Trump Envoy Visits Gaza Aid Sites as Famine Crisis Deepens

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U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in southern Gaza to inspect humanitarian aid sites, as global concern intensifies over widespread hunger and allegations that Israel is obstructing food deliveries. The visit comes amid a growing international outcry over what aid agencies and rights groups describe as a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

Witkoff, appointed by Donald Trump to oversee Middle East engagement, toured a major food distribution site near Rafah operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Reports indicate more than 1,000 Palestinians have died since May while waiting for food at aid points, with deaths attributed to hunger, exhaustion, and overcrowding. Satellite images have revealed thousands gathering around limited supply trucks, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.

President Trump has acknowledged what he described as “real starvation” in Gaza, signalling a sharp departure from the Israeli government’s narrative. He stated that the U.S., along with European partners, will help fund new access points for food distribution “without boundaries.” Trump has also voiced frustration with Israel’s ongoing restrictions on humanitarian deliveries, calling for greater transparency and faster aid flow.

Israeli officials reject accusations that they are intentionally starving civilians, insisting that food is being delivered and that civilians are encouraged to evacuate conflict zones. However, aid organizations say the current pace of deliveries, around 220 trucks per day, is far below the 500 to 600 trucks needed daily to prevent mass starvation.

While in Israel, Witkoff met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee to discuss ways to increase aid access and explore prospects for a ceasefire. The envoy’s visit comes at a critical juncture, as the humanitarian toll continues to rise and diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv over aid policy grow more visible.

International observers and humanitarian officials have warned that unless access improves rapidly, famine may become widespread. Human rights groups are also pressing for independent investigations into allegations that starvation is being used as a tool of war.

Witkoff’s findings are expected to influence upcoming U.S. policy decisions on Gaza, including the scale and structure of future aid. His visit underscores shifting dynamics within Trump’s foreign policy circle, where concern over civilian suffering is beginning to shape calls for a more forceful approach to humanitarian access.