Trump Envoy To Enter Gaza And Meet Palestinians To Learn About 'Dire Situation' On The Ground

Special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will enter the Gaza Strip on Friday to inspect aid distribution sites and move forward with a plan to increase it.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing on Thursday that the visit will take place on Friday. It follows a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials on the topic, she said.

"President Trump is a humanitarian with a big heart, that's why he sent special envoy Witkoff to the region: to save lives and end this crisis. Tomorrow, special envoy Witkoff and ambassador Huckabee will travel into Gaza to inspect the current distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more food," Leavitt detailed.

She went on to say that the officials will also "meet with local Gazans to hear firsthand about the dire situation on the ground." Once they exit, Witkoff and Huckabee will "brief the president immediately after to approve a final plan to improve aid distribution into the region," Leavitt concluded.

President Donald Trump has broken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the assessment about whether there is widespread starvation in Gaza, saying "those children look very hungry."

Moreover, Axios reporter Barak Ravid quoted an Israeli official who said that in his meeting with Netanyahu Witkoff also discussed potentially moving "from an incremental and partial Gaza deal to a comprehensive deal."

"An understanding is being established between Israel and the U.S. that, in light of Hamas' rejectionist position, there is a need to shift from a framework for the release of some of the hostages to a framework for the release of all the hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip," the official added.

It is unclear what path the Israeli government will pursue. Earlier this week local outlet Haaretz reported that Netanyahu said the country has the backing of the U.S. to begin annexing parts of Gaza if Hamas doesn't agree to a proposal soon.