Witkoff, Huckabee arrive in Israel to inspect food distribution in Gaza

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee arrived in Israel on Thursday to inspect food distribution in Gaza, amid growing concerns of a humanitarian crisis.  

The delegation will inspect the food distribution on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

Witkoff was expected to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation and a possible ceasefire after arriving in Israel Thursday afternoon, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump sent Witkoff to the region “in an effort to save lives and end this crisis,” calling the president “a humanitarian with a big heart.”

“The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social Thursday morning.

More than 600 Palestinians were wounded and at least 91 were killed while attempting to get aid in the past 24 hours, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday. 

The Israel Defense Forces said that the Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and the Israeli military fired warning shots into the crowd, but reported no awareness of injuries as a result.

According to a security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the gunfire came from within the crowd and resulted from altercations between Palestinians attempting to access aid.

Food aid being airdropped has led to stampedes and skirmishes as hungry crowds scream and fight for the parcels.

The amount of food aid getting into Gaza has been much lower than the 500 to 600 trucks per day that aid organizations say are needed. Israel's defense body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, along with 32 pallets of aid that were airdropped.