Trump Envoy Visits Gaza 'Death Trap' as UN Says 1,300+ Palestinians Killed Waiting for Food

GAZA - Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, made a controversial visit to Gaza this week, where he toured one of the heavily criticized food distribution sites linked to hundreds of Palestinian deaths at the hands of Israeli forces.

Witkoff, a former real estate lawyer with no humanitarian or diplomatic background, spent several hours inside the besieged territory, claiming he wants to help shape a plan to deliver food and medical supplies to civilians. His trip came shortly after he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and amid international outrage over the deepening hunger crisis in Gaza.

Despite his inexperience in aid work, Witkoff said on social media that he was trying to gain "a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation." However, the visit-coordinated with Israeli authorities and not with major international aid agencies-has raised serious concerns over the credibility and motives behind the effort.

A spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by both the US and Israel, claimed the visit was a sign that Trump takes the crisis seriously. "Feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority," the spokesperson said. But aid organizations and human rights groups say the situation on the ground tells a different story.

Aid Sites Become Killing Grounds

Human Rights Watch has described the aid distribution sites managed by GHF as "death traps," accusing Israeli forces and private contractors of turning food deliveries into violent, often deadly events. The group said Israel is not only blocking aid but also shooting hungry civilians who gather at these sites.

"The aid system is broken," said Belkis Wille, a director at Human Rights Watch. "Palestinians are being starved-and now shot-while simply trying to feed their families."

Tragically, just hours after Witkoff toured one of the GHF aid zones in Rafah, local medics reported that Israeli forces opened fire on another crowd of Palestinians seeking aid, killing 13 more people. According to the UN, a total of 1,353 Palestinians have now been killed while trying to access food-859 near GHF sites, and another 514 along UN convoy routes.

Israel Denies Responsibility, Blames Others

The Israeli government has rejected accusations of causing famine, instead blaming Hamas and the UN for looting or poor coordination. But UN officials say it's Israeli restrictions that have crippled aid operations. The World Food Programme and other agencies have reported that aid convoys are often overwhelmed by starving civilians before they can reach warehouses.

"People are desperate. They don't trust that help will reach them," said Olga Cherevko, a UN humanitarian spokesperson. "They are stripping trucks on the spot. That's how bad the hunger is."

Since March, Israel severely limited the entry of aid into Gaza. Though restrictions were partially eased in late May, only around 70 aid trucks have been allowed in each day-far below the 500-600 trucks needed to support Gaza's 2.3 million people.

Little Impact from Airdrops or New Plans

Despite airdrops by several countries in recent days, aid experts say these are nowhere near enough to stop famine. The situation remains urgent, and Witkoff's visit has done little to reassure aid agencies, who were not involved in his trip.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump told Axios that he wants to increase aid to Gaza, saying: "We want to help people. We want to get them fed." But it's still unclear whether his administration will change how GHF operates-or simply expand its current, deeply flawed approach.

Mounting Tensions and No Clear Path Forward

As starvation worsens, violence continues. On Friday, Hamas released a video showing an emaciated Israeli hostage, a reminder of the unresolved hostage crisis from the 7 October Hamas attacks. Israeli officials have warned they may escalate military operations in Gaza if talks on hostage releases stall.

While Israeli leaders continue to deny widespread hunger, food security experts and UN agencies say otherwise. They accuse Israel of using starvation as a method of warfare-a claim that could amount to a war crime under international law.

Witkoff's visit, far from easing tensions, has highlighted the growing divide between political messaging and humanitarian reality on the ground. For Palestinians in Gaza, the need remains simple and urgent: food, safety, and a stop to the killing.