U.S. Officials Make Rare Visit to Controversial Gaza Aid Distribution Site

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff visited Rafah on Friday to inspect a food distribution center run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israel-backed initiative aimed at delivering aid in the war-torn territory. He was joined by U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who praised the center’s work, saying it delivers more than a million meals a day. However, the glowing review contrasts sharply with mounting criticism from the international community over what they describe as a deeply flawed and militarized aid system.

Inspection

Witkoff and Huckabee’s visit came amid growing pressure on the U.S. and Israel to address what many are now calling a man-made famine. Their inspection of the GHF site is seen as a prelude to a White House meeting with President Trump, who is expected to approve a final aid distribution plan shortly. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that updated food delivery mechanisms will be released after Trump signs off.

Famine

While the GHF claims operational success, U.N.-affiliated food security experts and global aid organizations say Gaza is entering a famine, largely due to Israeli restrictions on humanitarian access. The crisis has reached an alarming point, with over 800 people reportedly killed since May while trying to get food from GHF distribution points.

Just in the past 24 hours, Gaza health officials reported 91 Palestinians killed and about 600 injured trying to access food aid. Eyewitness accounts from Rafah on Friday confirmed further deadly confrontations near aid sites, with Israeli forces allegedly opening fire on civilians.

Politics

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was created to bypass the United Nations system, a move championed by Israel. But Israel’s insistence on controlling aid access has led to rising diplomatic fallout. France, the U.K., and Canada have all announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, pressuring Israel to allow unrestricted aid flows. Britain has even set a September deadline for policy changes, threatening formal recognition if aid access remains blocked.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the idea, insisting it would empower Hamas and declaring it “ain’t gonna happen.” Still, these diplomatic threats underline the extent to which the Gaza crisis is reshaping global politics.

Violence

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department imposed visa-related sanctions on the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, citing its involvement in legal cases against Israel at international courts. Critics see this as contradictory, as Washington continues to support the GHF system despite its role in recent deaths.

Human Rights Watch didn’t hold back, accusing Israeli troops of war crimes for opening fire on civilians near GHF sites. The group says starvation is being used as a weapon, and called the aid delivery setup a “flawed,” “militarized,” and deadly system. According to Belkis Wille from Human Rights Watch, the situation amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity.

Response

President Trump has expressed concern about the aid distribution’s effectiveness, questioning where the food is going despite the billions in U.S. assistance. In a recent interview, he said he hoped Israel would “ensure the delivery of food” and blamed Hamas for hijacking aid. However, U.N. officials say most looting stems from non-Hamas armed gangs, some of which Israel has supported to destabilize the group.

Trump also responded to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide. His reply was measured: “It’s terrible what’s occurring there. People are very hungry.”

At this point, the question is no longer just about who is delivering food—but whether the delivery system itself is part of the problem. If aid centers have become battlegrounds, then reform may need to go deeper than better logistics.

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