By: Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, are set to visit Gaza on Friday. The White House announced the trip as the humanitarian crisis in the area worsens, with many people facing severe hunger and a lack of essential supplies.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that the visit aims to inspect how food and aid are currently being distributed. Witkoff and Huckabee are expected to meet with local residents to understand the situation directly and help shape a better plan for delivering more aid. “They will report back to President Trump immediately after the visit to finalize the aid distribution strategy,” Leavitt said.
This will be Witkoff’s second visit to Gaza since Trump took office. His first trip made headlines earlier this year when he became the first US official in over 10 years to enter the war-torn enclave. His return highlights the growing urgency of the crisis and the US government’s focus on ensuring humanitarian support reaches those in need.
Before the upcoming visit, Witkoff held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting came a week after the US stepped away from ceasefire negotiations, blaming Hamas for not acting in good faith. The White House says more details about the new aid plan will be shared once President Trump has reviewed and approved it.
