US envoy inspects aid sites as starvation crisis worsens in Gaza

On August 1, 2025, Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from the United States, arrived in Gaza to assess the delivery of humanitarian aid amid a severe starvation crisis. His visit took place against a backdrop of escalating global calls for more food and medical supplies to be allowed into the region. Just the day before, Witkoff had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where the prime minister faced increasing pressure from the international community regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. At this moment, the humanitarian conditions in Gaza have severely deteriorated, leaving the population in dire need of basic necessities. In response, Israel permitted airdrops of humanitarian supplies into the enclave last week, aimed at alleviating some of the pressing issues faced by the Gazan population. Nonetheless, these airdrops have faced significant criticism from various aid organizations, which argue that this method is not sufficient to resolve the ongoing crisis and can pose dangers to the recipients as well as those delivering the aid. The coordinated efforts for airdrops have involved multiple nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Canada, indicating a collaborative international attempt to address the humanitarian crisis. Despite these efforts, many NGOs have expressed their concerns that relying on airdrops is inadequate and that more comprehensive solutions must be sought to meet the needs of vulnerable populations trapped in conflict zones like Gaza. With Witkoff's visit to inspect the aid delivery sites, the hope is that real change can occur. It remains to be seen whether this visit will lead to any significant moves by the Israeli government or spur more international support in the provision of essential humanitarian assistance to the besieged population.