US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has visited a contentious Israel- and US-backed aid distribution site in Gaza, sparking controversy amidst reports of deadly shootings at the location. The visit followed near-daily reports of violence near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, where at least 859 Palestinians were killed according to the UN.
Witkoff stated that his purpose was to gain a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and assist in crafting a plan to deliver aid to Gaza’s population. However, critics argue that the visit is more of a “media stunt” designed to obscure the reality of a dire humanitarian crisis.
Eyewitnesses describe Israeli forces opening fire on crowds near GHF sites, resulting in multiple fatalities. Human Rights Watch has condemned the operation, calling for an immediate stop to lethal force against Palestinian civilians and suspension of the US-Israeli aid distribution system.
The visit comes after a UN warning that man-made mass starvation is taking place in Gaza, with aid agencies emphasizing the need for increased access by land. The GHF sites replaced the UN distribution mechanism in May, sparking international outrage over Israel’s alleged accusation that Hamas looted UN aid.
Critics accuse Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee of downplaying the severity of the crisis, instead focusing on the supposed success of the GHF delivery of “more than one million meals a day.” However, UN agencies have repeatedly warned that this figure falls far short of overall nutritional requirements.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8x5jnl5eygo