Trump’s Gaza Aid Visit Sparks Controversy Amid Crisis
trump gaza aid visit controversy : Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, made his first visit to a disputed aid distribution site in Gaza, drawing sharp criticism from locals and humanitarian groups. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the US, has been at the center of controversy due to reports of violence and insufficient aid delivery. Witkoff claimed the visit aimed to assess conditions and improve aid distribution, but many Gazans dismissed it as a staged publicity move rather than a genuine effort to address their suffering.
Accompanied by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Israeli military officials, Witkoff toured a GHF site near Rafah, where he spent hours observing operations. In a post on X, he praised the GHF’s efforts, stating they provide over a million meals daily—a claim the UN disputes, warning that Gaza faces “man-made starvation.” The UN reports at least 859 Palestinians have been killed near GHF sites, though Israel denies targeting civilians, insisting troops only fire warning shots.
Gazans who spoke to the BBC expressed anger over the visit, calling it a misleading spectacle. Louay Mahmoud, a resident, accused Witkoff of ignoring real suffering, saying, “He sees only what Israel wants him to see.” Amer Khayrat, a father of two in Gaza City, demanded an end to US support for Israel’s siege rather than symbolic envoy visits. Humanitarian groups like Oxfam echoed these frustrations, urging the US to push for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.
The GHF, which replaced UN aid distribution in May, operates in Israeli-controlled zones with US security contractors. Eyewitnesses and medics report frequent shootings near these sites, with Human Rights Watch condemning the “militarized aid system” for turning aid lines into “bloodbaths.” Retired US Special Forces officer Lt. Col. Anthony Aguilar, who worked at GHF centers, described witnessing indiscriminate shootings—claims the GHF dismissed as “false,” labeling him a disgruntled ex-employee.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and gunfire continue to claim lives. On Friday alone, Hamas-run authorities reported 82 deaths, including 52 people seeking aid. The UN’s human rights office confirmed 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food, most by Israeli forces. Despite international pressure, Israel maintains that Hamas exploits aid chaos—a charge Hamas denies.
As ceasefire talks stall, Hamas insists on increased aid before negotiations resume. The US and Israel accuse Hamas of bad faith, while critics argue Washington’s unwavering support enables the crisis. Witkoff’s visit, framed as a fact-finding mission, has only deepened skepticism among Gazans who see it as another empty gesture in a war that has left them starving and abandoned. thats all about trump gaza aid visit controversy.
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