President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, inspected a US-supported food distribution center in Gaza on Friday, amid alarming claims by the UN and Human Rights Watch (HRW) that Israeli forces had killed hundreds of Palestinians desperately waiting for aid.
The UN rights office reported that at least 1,373 people had died near food sites or convoy routes since May 27, with 105 fatalities in the final days of July alone.
HRW condemned Israel for allegedly weaponizing starvation and using force near distribution sites. Its associate director, Belkis Wille, described the aid points as “regular bloodbaths” under US-backed Israeli control. Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US-supported initiative, says it delivers over one million meals daily. The foundation and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee emphasized its role in bypassing Hamas interference.
Despite the food deliveries, Israeli strikes continue. On Friday, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 11 new deaths, including two near a GHF aid site. Meanwhile, HRW said the Israeli military has created a “flawed, militarized” system that risks civilian lives.
Israeli officials say Hamas disrupts food distribution efforts, while Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to dismantling Hamas and rescuing remaining hostages. His meeting with Witkoff and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul included calls to scale up humanitarian relief. Wadephul described Gaza’s condition as a disaster “beyond imagination.”
Separately, a video surfaced showing 21-year-old German-Israeli hostage Rom Braslavski begging for help. Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023, 49 remain in captivity, including 27 confirmed dead. The war, triggered by the attack, has now claimed over 60,000 Palestinian lives.
What You Should Know
Steve Witkoff’s visit to Gaza underscores the mounting global scrutiny of Israel’s war conduct and the humanitarian crisis gripping the enclave.
While the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has provided millions of meals amid Israel’s partial easing of its blockade, the UN and HRW have raised grave concerns about civilian casualties at food distribution points.
Accusations of using starvation as a weapon have intensified calls for urgent de-escalation. Israel maintains its actions are defensive and accuses Hamas of sabotaging aid delivery.
The hostilities, now in their 22nd month, continue to strain diplomatic alliances and ignite moral outrage across the globe.
