US action in Gaza, French humanitarian assistance, Hamas publicizing a captive Israeli's video...
In the midst of a protracted 21-month conflict in Gaza, Steve Witkoff, a special envoy appointed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has taken on a crucial role in diplomatic efforts. Witkoff's mission involves pressing for ceasefire agreements, engaging in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza [1][2][3][4].
On a recent visit to Gaza, Witkoff was accompanied by US Ambassador to Jerusalem Mike Huckabee. The visit aimed to assess the humanitarian situation and plan for food and medical aid delivery. Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with reports of malnutrition among children and images of suffering being used as a reference to the ongoing humanitarian crisis [5].
Unfortunately, the violence continues. As of the latest reports, 11 deaths have been reported in Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, including two people waiting near an aid distribution site [6]. Sirens blared in several Israeli cities on Friday after a projectile was fired from Yemen towards Israel, prompting the activation of air defense systems [7].
The crisis has claimed 49 lives in total, with 27 having reportedly died according to the Israeli army, from the October 7 kidnappings. Among the hostages, Islamic Jihad, a Hamas ally, has also released a video of Rom Braslavski, an Israeli-German citizen, who was kidnapped on the same day [8]. The armed branch of Hamas has also released a video of Evyatar David, a 24-year-old Israeli hostage, kidnapped on October 7, 2023 [9].
In response to the ongoing violence, Steve Witkoff has promised to increase humanitarian aid as pressure mounts on Israel over civilian deaths in Gaza. However, the delivery of aid faces challenges. UNRWA has nearly 6,000 trucks loaded with food aid currently blocked outside Gaza, ready to enter the territory [10]. The French army recently completed its first aerial delivery of food aid to Gaza in 2025, but the landing zone was too small to accommodate more than four pallets [11].
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini advocates for aid to be conveyed by road rather than by air drops, stating that air drops cost at least 100 times more than trucks and carry twice as little aid [12]. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the international community, including diplomats like Steve Witkoff, will continue their efforts to bring about peace and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
References:
- ABC News
- Reuters
- CNN
- The New York Times
- Al Jazeera
- The Times of Israel
- Haaretz
- The Jerusalem Post
- The Guardian
- UNRWA
- France 24
- The National
- Steve Witkoff, the special envoy, is engaged in politics, as he works to secure ceasefire agreements and facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza, amidst ongoing conflicts and general-news reports of malnutrition among children and continuing violence.
- The delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, spearheaded by diplomats like Steve Witkoff, faces challenges, with UNRWA stating that air drops are much more expensive and less efficient than supplying aid by road, a move that could potentially alleviate the crisis and bring relief to the general-news public.
