US Envoy Visits Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis

Strategic Insights -

The US envoy, Steve Witkoff, has met with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to discuss the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 91 people have been killed in the past 24 hours while attempting to access food aid. Witkoff plans to visit Gaza today to "hear first-hand about this dire situation" and will work with the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to develop a plan to provide aid to the desperate population.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli military forces or other gunmen while trying to access food near aid distribution sites since May, according to the UN.
  • Six Palestinians were killed near a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site on Wednesday, hospital sources told the BBC.
  • A total of 91 people were killed seeking aid in a 24-hour period, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, including 54 deaths in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday.
  • Witkoff's visit to Gaza comes as the French government has recognized a Palestinian state and called for an end to the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
  • The US has accused the Palestinian Authority of seeking to "internationalise" the situation and will deny visas to Palestinian officials.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli military forces or other gunmen while trying to access food near aid distribution sites since May, according to the UN.
  • 91 people were killed seeking aid in a 24-hour period, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
  • 54 people were killed in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
  • 30 hostages and the bodies of eight others were handed over by Hamas after a 60-day grace period following Witkoff's last visit in January.

Sources:

  • White House press release
  • BBC News: "Six Palestinians killed near Gaza aid centre"
  • Ynet News: "US envoy to meet with Netanyahu to discuss Gaza crisis"
  • UN News: " Gaza crisis: Over 1,000 killed trying to access aid, says UN"
  • Hamas-run health ministry news release
  • French government news release
  • Palestinian Authority news release