Two senior US officials will visit Gaza today amid growing concerns about the humanitarian crisis there. Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will inspect a food distribution site and report back to the president immediately. Our US correspondent, David Blevins, says the visit “is not unprecedented but is highly unusual … due to obvious security concerns and political sensitivities.” He added: “I think it reflects the growing concern there is here in the United States about the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe.” Image: Steve Witkoff meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a bid to salvage Gaza truce talks.
Aid workers on the ground have warned that a “politically manmade famine” is taking place in the territory. UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees chief Philippe Lazzarini told The World With Yalda Hakim that “more and more people will continue to die” unless there is urgent change. Donald Trump has expressed frustration at the lack of aid reaching Palestinians and has repeatedly blamed Hamas – but US government analysis has found no evidence that the militant group is systemically stealing supplies. He told reporters yesterday: “It’s terrible what’s occurring there. People are very hungry, you know. The United States gave $60m … for food. And, it’s a shame because … I don’t see the results of it. Part of the problem is Hamas is taking the money and they’re taking the food.”
On Thursday, Mr Witkoff arrived in Israel and held discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – the first meeting between the pair since both Israel and the US withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar a week ago. At the time, he claimed that Hamas “shows a lack of desire” to reach a truce. Under heavy international pressure, Israel has paused fighting in parts of Gaza and airdropped food – although the volume of supplies remains far lower than what aid organisations say is needed. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called on the EU to “freeze” its trade agreement with Israel, describing the situation in Gaza as “utterly deplorable.” After visiting Gaza, Mr Witkoff will travel to Russia. The US President has given his Russian counterpart until August 8th to reach a deal to halt the fighting in Ukraine, or else he will impose economic sanctions.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/two-senior-us-officials-to-make-rare-visit-to-gaza-later-today-13404842
