U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff Visits Gaza to Assess Humanitarian Crisis and Brief President Trump
U.S. envoy Witkoff visits Gaza for 5+ hours to assess crisis, brief Trump. Meets aid groups & Israeli officials amid stalled Hamas talks. Visit signals US shift toward humanitarian focus in conflict zone.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed on Friday that he had completed a visit to the Gaza Strip, where he spent more than five hours on the ground to assess the humanitarian conditions and gather factual insights for U.S. President Donald Trump.
“This visit was carried out under the directives of President Donald Trump,” Witkoff said in his first public statement following the visit. “Alongside U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, we held discussions with Israeli officials regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
Witkoff elaborated that the visit included engagements with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and other relief agencies. “The objective is to provide President Trump with a clear understanding of the humanitarian reality and to help formulate a comprehensive plan for delivering food and medical assistance to the people of Gaza,” he stated.
Visit Follows Meetings in Israel
Witkoff’s visit came a day after his arrival in Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid a stalemate in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. According to a senior Israeli official cited by the Jerusalem Post, both parties agreed during the meeting that the current negotiation approach required revision, citing Hamas' unwillingness to reach a compromise.
The visit underscores Washington’s increasing focus on the humanitarian dimensions of the ongoing conflict, even as political and military tensions remain unresolved. Witkoff’s direct engagement inside Gaza marks a significant move in shaping future U.S. policy and potential aid mechanisms.
