Trump envoy lands in Israel as situation in Gaza worsens

Steve Witkoff will visit food distribution centres today as Palestinians are still being shot dead while queuing for aid

- WAFAA SHURAFA MELANIE LIDMAN

Donald Trump's special envoy arrived in Israel yesterday to discuss the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, as the death toll from deadly incidents involving Palestinians waiting for food and other aid continued to climb.

Steve Witkoff will inspect food distribution in Gaza today alongside US ambassador Mike Huckabee, the White House said. The development came as President Trump renewed his call on Hamas to surrender and release Israeli hostages.

At least 91 Palestinians were killed and more than 600 wounded while attempting to get aid in the previous 24 hours, the Gaza health ministry said yesterday, including 54 killed in shootings near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza on Wednesday.

The Israeli military said Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and troops fired warning shots into the crowd, but that it was unaware of any injuries stemming from Israeli fire.

Mr Witkoff met Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza and a possible ceasefire. It was their first meeting since both Israel and the US summoned negotiation teams home from Qatar a week ago. Mr Witkoff said at the time that Hamas “shows a lack of desire” to reach a truce.