US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is heading to Israel this week amid intensifying global outrage over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. This marks Witkoff’s first known visit since May, when he helped broker the release of the last surviving American Israeli hostage held by Hamas. His return now comes under far grimmer conditions — a Gaza reeling from mass hunger, starvation deaths, and a collapsed ceasefire process.
Starvation Crisis in Gaza Escalates
Witkoff’s visit comes at a time when thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are reportedly starving. The World Food Program has confirmed that over one in three Palestinians have gone multiple consecutive days without eating. Gaza health officials say dozens, including children, have already died of starvation in recent weeks. The crisis has become impossible to ignore, even drawing comment from President Trump. Breaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s denial, Trump said, “That’s real starvation stuff, I see it, and you can’t fake that.”
Talks with Hamas Stall Again
Witkoff has led Trump’s diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. His mission also includes securing the release of remaining hostages still held in Gaza. However, the ceasefire discussions stalled last week with no sign of progress. Despite these setbacks, Witkoff’s latest visit is expected to refocus attention on humanitarian relief and renewed diplomatic talks.
Global Outcry and Shift in Support
The humanitarian catastrophe has sparked increasing discontent, even among Israel’s traditional allies, France has formally recognized the state of Palestine, while the UK expressed conditional support for the same a coalition of over 30 countries has called for an immediate end to Israel’s offensive, now in its tenth month. Israel has murdered more than 60,000 Palestinians in its counteroffensive in Gaza since Hamas’ surprise assault on October 7, 2023.
The world is watching carefully to see whether Witkoff’s visit results in any significant change as peace negotiations stall and the number of people dying from famine rises.
