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Steve Witkoff (ANI image) and Benjamin Netanyahu (AP image)
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss the worsening humanitarian condition in Gaza as the death toll of Palestinians waiting for food and other aid continues to rise.
The meeting between Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ended, according to an Israeli official, as reported by CNN.Witkoff's visit coincided with new US sanctions targeting officials from the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. He had been expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to talk about the crisis in Gaza and the possibility of a ceasefire.This marks the first meeting between Witkoff and Netanyahu since both the Israeli and US delegations withdrew from negotiations in Qatar last week.
At the time, Witkoff stated that Hamas “shows a lack of desire” to reach a truce.Under growing international pressure, Israel announced new measures over the weekend to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, aid agencies say the current efforts fall short. The Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday and 32 pallets of aid were airdropped into the Strip.
However, humanitarian groups say that at least 500 to 600 trucks per day are needed in Gaza.International criticism of Israel’s handling of the Gaza crisis has intensified. Several organizations have warned that Gaza has been at risk of famine for two years, and that a complete aid blockade for more than two months has now pushed the situation into what they describe as an unfolding famine.German foreign minister Johann Wadephul is also visiting Israel and the West Bank over the next two days.
While Germany has long supported Israel, it has recently become more vocal in urging Israel to increase aid to Gaza and support a ceasefire.Unlike France, Britain and Canada, Germany has not announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September. However, before his departure, Wadephul emphasized that Germany sees a two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.“For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state stands rather at the end of the process. But such a process must begin now. Germany will not move from this aim," Wadephul said.
