US unveils Gaza food plan after envoy visit

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, a senior U.S. representative has pledged renewed efforts to provide food and medical relief to Palestinian civilians caught in the conflict. Steve Witkoff, appointed as a special envoy by former President Donald Trump, visited the besieged territory on Friday to assess conditions at U.S.-supported distribution centers. His remarks came as alarming new data and international condemnation highlight the soaring civilian death toll from Israel’s military operations.

Hundreds Killed at Aid Sites Amid Worsening Conditions

According to the United Nations human rights office in the Palestinian territories, at least 1,373 Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid have been killed since May 27. The report states that 859 deaths occurred near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites—an initiative backed by the United States—while 514 others were killed along known aid delivery routes used by the U.N. and other organizations.

The toll includes 105 fatalities in just the last two days of July. While the U.N. attributed most of the deaths to Israeli military action, it acknowledged the complexity of operating in active conflict zones.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) added to international scrutiny with a damning report accusing Israeli forces of orchestrating what it described as “routine bloodbaths” near food distribution centers. “Israeli forces are not only deliberately starving Palestinian civilians but now shooting them as they search for food,” said Belkis Wille, associate director at HRW. She further accused the U.S.-supported distribution system of being overly militarized and flawed, leading to deadly chaos rather than relief.

Witkoff Promises Aid Strategy; Trump Backs Relief Effort

Witkoff, who toured a GHF distribution center in Gaza wearing body armor, stated that his visit was intended to give Donald Trump direct insight into the humanitarian situation and assist in shaping a response. “We want to help them live. We want to get people fed,” Trump later told Axios in a phone interview, calling the situation long overdue for urgent action.

The GHF, which has been delivering aid independently from the U.N.’s longstanding distribution system, has ramped up operations since Israel eased its blockade in late May. During Witkoff’s visit, the foundation announced it had delivered its 100-millionth meal in Gaza, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

However, the effectiveness of the GHF remains under scrutiny. While it has become the focal point for U.S.-led humanitarian efforts, the system has reportedly become a flashpoint of violence, as civilians desperate for aid gather in large, vulnerable numbers near distribution hubs.

On Friday alone, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 22 deaths from Israeli airstrikes and gunfire—including eight individuals killed while waiting to receive food.

Israel Responds to Allegations, Shifts Blame to Hamas

In response to HRW’s accusations, the Israeli military denied targeting civilians and insisted its presence near GHF centers was aimed at securing orderly distribution. It claimed troops work to minimize tensions with the local population and accused Hamas of trying to obstruct aid access. The military added that it is currently reviewing the reports of recent deaths.

Despite these assertions, international criticism is intensifying. On Thursday, Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reiterated his commitment to defeating Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken during the group’s October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

That assault killed 1,219 people—mostly civilians—and resulted in 251 hostages. According to Israeli authorities, 49 remain in captivity, including 27 confirmed dead.

Global Pressure Builds for Humanitarian Relief

Netanyahu also held talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who described Gaza’s humanitarian situation as “beyond imagination” and called on Israel to prevent mass starvation through immediate aid deliveries.

The Gaza health ministry, which is overseen by Hamas, now estimates that at least 60,249 Palestinians—primarily civilians—have died since Israel launched its retaliatory campaign. The death toll, combined with rising hunger, has prompted urgent calls from humanitarian agencies for unimpeded access to food and medicine.

A BBC investigation released Friday further documented the war’s toll on children, alleging that over 160 had been shot—95 of them in the head or chest. The Israeli military responded that it does not intentionally target civilians and operates within international legal frameworks.

Hamas Releases Hostage Video Amid Ongoing Crisis

Amid the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, the armed wing of Hamas released a video on Friday showing 24-year-old Israeli hostage Evyatar David. Appearing frail and confined to a narrow concrete tunnel, his appearance underscored the ongoing hostage crisis—a factor driving much of Israel’s military campaign.

As media access remains restricted and independent verification challenging, global actors are now weighing stronger diplomatic pressure to deescalate the situation. Witkoff’s visit may mark the start of a new U.S. effort to deliver aid, but the road ahead remains fraught with political and logistical hurdles.