US envoy arrives in Israel to monitor Gaza food distribution as
humanitarian crisis worsens
[August 01, 2025]
By WAFAA SHURAFA and MELANIE LIDMAN
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s special
envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss the
worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, as the death toll of
Palestinians waiting for food and other aid continued to climb.
Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee will inspect food distribution
in Gaza on Friday, the White House said.
At least 91 Palestinians were killed and more than 600 wounded while
attempting to get aid in the past 24 hours, the Gaza Health Ministry
said Thursday. The victims included 54 people killed while awaiting food
in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday, the ministry
said. The toll is expected to rise further as many of those killed or
wounded were brought to isolated, undersupplied hospitals in northern
Gaza and have not yet been counted.
Israel's military said Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and the
Israeli military fired warning shots into the crowd, but reported no
awareness of injuries resulting from Israeli fire.
A security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line
with military regulations, said the gunfire came from within the crowd
and resulted from altercations between Palestinians attempting to access
aid.
Scramble for airdropped food
Scenes of desperation and chaos played out again on Thursday as scores
of Palestinians ran toward food aid dropped from the air in Zawaida, a
city in central Gaza. Aid providers have turned to the skies as border
crossings remain closed amid severe food insecurity across the Gaza
Strip.
The drops have set off stampedes and skirmishes as hungry crowds scream,
fight and jostle for the parcels.
Eslam al-Telbany, a displaced woman from Jabaliya, said she was carrying
a bottle of cooking oil and a sack of flour when she was attacked and
bitten, ultimately dropping the items and returning home without aid.
“I went and my children prayed that I’d return with food. They haven't
eaten or drank anything for two days," she said as she wept.
Ahmed al-Khatib said someone stole a bag of flour from him, and he broke
a tooth in the struggle.
Rana Attia, another displaced woman, said people felt more dignified
receiving text messages telling them where to collect aid rather than
randomly chasing falling parcels under the scorching heat. “We don’t
want them to help us that way,” she said.
'Worst-case scenario'
Despite the airdrops, the amount of aid getting into Gaza remains far
lower than the 500 to 600 trucks per day that aid organizations say are
needed.
The Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid in
Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, and 32 pallets of
aid were airdropped into the Strip.
Under heavy international pressure, Israel announced a series of
measures over the weekend to facilitate the entry of more international
aid to Gaza. The international community has heaped criticism on Israel
over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
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Mourners attend the funeral of their relatives killed in an Israeli
bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Thursday, July
31, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
International organizations said that Gaza has been on the brink of
famine for the past two years, but that recent developments,
including a complete blockade on aid for 2 1/2 months, mean that the
“worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza.”
Israel criticised by allies
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Israel on
Thursday on a two-day trip that will also take him to the
Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Germany, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has been
increasingly critical recently of Israel’s actions in Gaza. It has
insisted that Israel must do more to increase aid supplies and
pushed for a ceasefire.
Berlin hasn’t joined major allies France, Britain, and Canada in
saying it will recognize a Palestinian state in September. But in a
statement ahead of his departure Thursday, Wadephul underlined
Germany’s position that a two-state solution is “the only way” to
ensure a future in peace and security for people on both sides.
“For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state stands rather
at the end of the process. But such a process must begin now.
Germany will not move from this aim," Wadephul said.
A diplomatic push
Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, arrived in Israel on Thursday
afternoon and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the
humanitarian situation and a possible ceasefire, according to an
official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss
sensitive matters.
It was the first meeting between Witkoff and Netanyahu since both
Israel and the U.S. called their negotiation teams home from Qatar
one week ago. Witkoff said at the time that Hamas “shows a lack of
desire” to reach a truce.
“The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas
to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth
Social platform Thursday morning.
Trump sent Witkoff to the region “in an effort to save lives and end
this crisis,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said,
calling the president “a humanitarian with a big heart."
The war started when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023,
killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. They still
hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of
the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000
Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Its count doesn’t
distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates
under the Hamas government. The U.N. and other international
organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on
casualties.
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Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Sam Metz in Jerusalem and Imad Isseid in
Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report.
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