المبعوث الأمريكي في رفح.. والجوع يتفاقم في غزة

Amid heavy security reinforcements with Israeli tanks and military vehicles surrounding areas in central and southern Gaza, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff arrived today (Friday) at a aid center in Rafah, south of the Strip, accompanied by the U.S. ambassador to Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military presence was concentrated around the Netzarim axis and the Shakush area in the Khan Younis region, and aid was distributed through field centers managed by U.S.-backed organizations, most notably the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation."

Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday (Thursday) in an attempt to salvage ceasefire talks in Gaza and address the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, with a global hunger monitoring agency warning of a potential famine.

Witkoff arrived at a time when international pressure is mounting on Netanyahu's government due to the widespread destruction in Gaza and the restrictions imposed on aid in the area.

An Israeli official stated after the Witkoff-Netanyahu meeting that Israel and the United States understand the necessity of transitioning from a plan to release some hostages to a plan for the release of all hostages, disarming Hamas, and making the Gaza Strip a demilitarized zone.

The official did not disclose any details, merely stating that Israel and the United States would work to increase humanitarian aid as fighting continues in Gaza.

The White House announced that Witkoff traveled to Gaza to oversee the food aid delivery process and assess the performance of field teams while working on a final plan to expedite supply deliveries to the area.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated: The special envoy and the ambassador will immediately present their findings after their visit for approval of a final plan for food and aid distribution in the region.

For his part, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that "the quickest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender and release the hostages." He described the situation in Gaza as "horrific." Trump told reporters, "What is happening there is horrific, yes, it is terrible. People are suffering from severe hunger." He spoke about the financial assistance Washington is providing to address the hunger crisis in Gaza.

Indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha hit a deadlock last week, with both sides exchanging accusations for the stalemate and continuing gaps on issues such as the lines to which Israeli forces would withdraw.

A knowledgeable source reported that Israel sent a response (on Wednesday) to the latest amendments made by Hamas to a U.S. proposal that calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.