U.S. Envoy Arrives in Israel Amid Escalating Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Thursday to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the death toll among Palestinians seeking aid continues to rise. According to the White House, Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee are scheduled to inspect food distribution efforts in Gaza on Friday.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 91 Palestinians were killed and over 600 injured in the past 24 hours while trying to access humanitarian aid. Among the casualties were 54 people killed near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza on Wednesday while waiting for food. Officials warned the toll could climb further, as many victims were taken to isolated and poorly equipped hospitals in the region and have yet to be fully accounted for.
The Israeli military acknowledged that it fired warning shots when aid trucks were surrounded but claimed no injuries were reported from their actions. A security official, speaking anonymously, said the gunfire appeared to come from within the crowd during clashes among Palestinians scrambling for supplies.
Chaos Over Airdropped Aid
Desperation unfolded again Thursday in central Gaza’s Zawaida, where air-dropped food sparked a frantic scramble. With border crossings closed, aid agencies have turned to aerial drops, which have led to stampedes as starving civilians fight over the limited supplies.
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