WASHINGTON As worldwide concern over the region grows, President Donald Trump is sending two top administration officials to Gaza on August 1 to evaluate the region’s food distribution efforts and analyze the deteriorating hunger problem.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters on July 31 that U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff, and other officials will visit Gaza to negotiate a plan to supply additional food and speak with Gazans to learn firsthand about this critical situation.
After their arrival, the two are anticipated to meet with President Trump to complete the administration’s plan for providing food and humanitarian supplies in the midst of Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas.
Leavitt acknowledged that Witkoff and Huckabee had discussed steps to guarantee food and aid to people in need with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier that day.
What’s happening there is horrible. It’s an awful thing. Trump told reporters that people are extremely hungry. It’s unfortunate that I don’t see the results of the $60 million that the United States donated for food. And we gave it to those who, in theory, are keeping a careful eye on it. We wanted it guarded by Israel.
Concerns of a possible famine in Gaza have been highlighted by a recent alert issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, one in four Gaza inhabitants are living in conditions akin to famine, and one-third of the population goes for many days without eating. Malnutrition has claimed the lives of over 100 Palestinians in recent days, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.
Earlier this week, President Trump publicly disputed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that famine isn’t happening in Gaza, departing from the Israeli leader’s viewpoint. Instead, Trump urged Israel to allow more food supplies to enter the region.
Netanyahu has categorically denied claims of intentional starvation methods, calling them a bold-faced lie and insisting that there is no famine occurring while horrifying pictures of malnourished children go viral.
Trump said on July 31 that Witkoff will shortly visit Russia in addition to Gaza. Trump has given Moscow ten days to commit to a ceasefire with Ukraine or risk sanctions and tariffs from the United States. The visit takes place ahead of that deadline. Unbelievably, Trump stated that he was heading to Israel before traveling to Russia.
