A recent high-stakes diplomatic visit by a US special envoy to the Gaza Strip has cast a critical spotlight on the tumultuous and often violent landscape of humanitarian aid distribution in the beleaguered territory.
Steve Witkoff, a key Middle East envoy for US President Donald Trump, undertook a significant tour of a food distribution facility within Gaza City. This particular site is managed by an American contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), notable for its Israeli backing and operations amidst severe challenges.
The efforts to deliver vital sustenance to Gaza’s hunger-stricken population have unfortunately been marred by widespread violence and controversy. Reports indicate that the near 22-month military offensive has shattered security, rendering safe food delivery to approximately 2 million Palestinians almost impossible.
During his extensive tour, Envoy Witkoff was accompanied by US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Their itinerary included a GHF distribution point in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, which has suffered near-complete destruction and is now largely designated an Israeli military zone.
Concerns regarding the aid operations have been amplified by external organizations. Human Rights Watch, a New York-based watchdog, recently issued a report severely criticizing GHF, labeling its system as ‘flawed’ and ‘militarised,’ and linking aid distributions to ‘regular bloodbaths.’
Responding to the grave situation, Mr. Witkoff publicly stated on X that he had spent over five hours within Gaza, aiming to ‘gain a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.’ Notably, he did not seek meetings with UN officials during his visit.
Chapin Fay, a GHF spokesperson, defended the visit, asserting that it underscored Mr. Trump’s comprehension of the stakes and emphasized that ‘feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority.’ Concurrently, the Israeli military maintains it only fires warning shots at those approaching its forces, while GHF states its armed contractors employ only pepper spray or warning shots to deter deadly crowding.
Despite these assurances, tragic reports persist; officials at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza confirmed receiving the bodies of thirteen individuals killed while attempting to obtain aid, including near the site visited by US officials. This visit follows closely after US officials withdrew from ceasefire talks, pledging alternative strategies for hostage rescue and Gaza’s security.
