The United States has announced plans for its special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to visit Gaza on Friday as part of a bid to address the dire food crisis in the territory.
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported 111 people killed and 820 injured by Israel’s military offensive over the past 24 hours. The ministry also stated that two individuals have died of malnutrition in the past day, bringing the total number of malnutrition-related deaths since the start of the war to 159, including 90 children.
The US envoy’s visit aims to inspect food distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more aid to Gaza. Witkoff will also meet with local Gazans to hear their concerns about the crisis firsthand.
Critics have accused Israel of exacerbating the situation by firing warning shots at crowds gathered near aid lorries, which has led to dozens of casualties. The Israeli military claims that troops fired “warning shots” and are not aware of any casualties.
The international community has warned of a “worst-case scenario of famine” in Gaza, with UN-backed experts stating that there is man-made, mass starvation in the territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied restrictions on aid deliveries, but reports suggest otherwise.
As tensions continue to rise, Israeli officials have threatened punitive steps against Hamas if there is no progress in a ceasefire and hostage release deal. This has led to concerns about potential annexation of parts of Gaza.
The US President’s recent social media post urging Hamas to surrender and release hostages has been met with criticism from many quarters.
Witkoff will visit Gaza on Friday, following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where they discussed food and aid issues in Gaza.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74d82pdxjzo