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Crowds of Palestinians standing behind barbed wire fences appeared to cheer loudly as President Trump’s special envoy visited an aid operation site in southern Gaza Friday — amid global concerns of a spiraling hunger crisis that’s plaguing the Palestinian enclave.


  Steve Witkoff and Mike Huckabee visiting a Gaza aid site. @USAmbIsrael Steve Witkoff and Mike Huckabee visiting a Gaza aid site. @USAmbIsrael

  Palestinians carrying aid supplies through rubble in Beit Lahia, Gaza. REUTERS Palestinians carrying aid supplies through rubble in Beit Lahia, Gaza. REUTERS

  Meeting in Gaza between aid workers and officials. @USAmbIsrael Meeting in Gaza between aid workers and officials. @USAmbIsrael

Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, became the first high profile US officials to visit Gaza since the war broke out as they toured a US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site in Rafah.

“Today, we spent over five hours inside Gaza — level setting the facts on the ground, assessing conditions, and meeting with [the Humanitarian Foundation] and other agencies,” Witkoff, who wore a Make American Great Again hat during the visit, wrote on X.


  Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, became the first high profile US officials to visit Gaza since the war broke out. MOHAMMED BADRA/EPA/Shutterstock Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, became the first high profile US officials to visit Gaza since the war broke out. MOHAMMED BADRA/EPA/Shutterstock

  Palestinian youth holding a can of food and baby formula after aid delivery in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images Palestinian youth holding a can of food and baby formula after aid delivery in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images

  A pro-Palestinian rally in Paris; a demonstrator holds a sign that says “Wanted” for Benjamin Netanyahu. MOHAMMED BADRA/EPA/Shutterstock A pro-Palestinian rally in Paris; a demonstrator holds a sign that says “Wanted” for Benjamin Netanyahu. MOHAMMED BADRA/EPA/Shutterstock

“The purpose of the visit was to give [Trump] a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.”

Footage posted to social media captured scores of people whistling and yelling as they arrived at the site.  


  Footage posted to social media captured scores of people whistling and yelling as they arrived at the site.  REUTERS Footage posted to social media captured scores of people whistling and yelling as they arrived at the site.  REUTERS

  Smoke rises from destroyed buildings in Gaza on Aug. 1. AP Smoke rises from destroyed buildings in Gaza on Aug. 1. AP

  US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, an Israeli official, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visiting a Gaza aid site. @SEPeaceMissions US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, an Israeli official, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visiting a Gaza aid site. @SEPeaceMissions

The visit came a day after Witkoff touched down in Israel to push for fresh ceasefire negotiations with Hamas to bring an end to the war.

Trump has blamed Hamas for the ongoing starvation crisis gripping Gaza – as he insisted the fastest way to end the aid debacle would be for the terror group to surrender and release its remaining hostages.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Witkoff was being sent in to craft a plan to boost food and aid deliveries.


  The visit came a day after Witkoff touched down in Israel to push for fresh ceasefire negotiations with Hamas to bring an end to the war. AP The visit came a day after Witkoff touched down in Israel to push for fresh ceasefire negotiations with Hamas to bring an end to the war. AP

  Aid being airdropped over war-torn buildings in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images Aid being airdropped over war-torn buildings in Gaza. AFP via Getty Images

  Palestinians carrying sacks of flour from a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza. AP Palestinians carrying sacks of flour from a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza. AP

“President Trump is a humanitarian with a big heart and that’s why he sent special envoy ­Witkoff to the region in an effort to save lives and end this crisis,” she told reporters.

Israel continues to face mounting pressure over the crisis in Gaza after harrowing scenes of starving Palestinians exploded into public view and international organizations warned the region was on the brink of famine.

“President Trump understands the stakes in Gaza and that feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority,” GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay said in a statement after Witkoff’s visit.


  Israel continues to face mounting pressure over the crisis in Gaza after harrowing scenes of starving Palestinians. AP Israel continues to face mounting pressure over the crisis in Gaza after harrowing scenes of starving Palestinians. AP

  A Palestinian man carries a box of aid supplies on his head. AFP via Getty Images A Palestinian man carries a box of aid supplies on his head. AFP via Getty Images

  Palestinians carrying aid in a destroyed area. AFP via Getty Images Palestinians carrying aid in a destroyed area. AFP via Getty Images

“We were honored to brief his delegation, share our operations, and demonstrate the impact of delivering 100 million meals to those who need them most.”

The visit came, too, after aid groups voiced concerns that supply points are being choked off as the military conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on.

Israel announced last weekend that it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza to allow aid, including food and medicine, to be delivered.

Despite the flow of aid resuming, including via airdrops, the amount getting into Gaza remains far lower than what aid organizations say is needed, the groups stressed. 

The United Nations alleges, too, that more than 1,000 people have been killed trying to receive aid in Gaza since the GHF began operating there in May.

GHF, however, has said nobody has been killed at its distribution points — and that it is doing a better job of protecting aid deliveries than the UN.

Hours after Witkoff’s visit, Palestinian medics said Israeli forces had shot dead three Palestinians near one of the group’s four sites.

It wasn’t immediately clear if it was the same location the US officials had just toured.

With Post wires

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