Palestinians view GHF as ‘symbol of control and manipulation’
People are expecting little from Witkoff’s visit to the GHF site.
Since the GHF took over [aid distribution] operations, getting food has become very dangerous and humiliating. Many Palestinians have begun to view the GHF not as a humanitarian actor, but as a symbol of control and manipulation.
Twenty-two months into this war, Gaza is still witnessing military escalation and a deepening humanitarian crisis that has been politicised and militarised.
Reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry indicate that the situation is worsening and the number of malnutrition cases is on the rise.
US working on a plan ‘to get people fed’: Trump
US President Donald Trump has told Axios’s journalist Barak David that he is working on a plan “to get people fed” in Gaza.
“We want to help people. We want to help them live. We want to get people fed. It is something that should have happened a long time ago,” Trump said.
This is not the first time the US president has said he is concerned about reports of starvation in Gaza, placing the onus on Israel to improve the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Yesterday, Trump said “the fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis” was for Hamas to surrender and release all captives.
In the past, he has floated a US takeover of the enclave, expelling Palestinians and turning the land of the Gaza Strip into a “resort”, in what the UN said would amount to ethnic cleansing.
EU staff urge leaders to pressure Israel for Gaza aid access in open letter
Hundreds of staff members working for EU institutions wrote a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas, urging the two to press Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza.
According to the letter seen by Al Jazeera, more than 700 signatories ask for the opening of all land crossings for the delivery of essential goods and permitting humanitarian ships to dock.
“Israel cannot be allowed to show disdain for yet another agreement and further disrespect to the European Union,” read the statement, referring to an understanding that the EU had reached with Israel in mid-July to improve the situation on the ground.
The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner and, as such, it has considerable leverage to insist on compliance with international humanitarian law, read the document.
The signatories proposed specific measures that could be taken against Israel. Here are some of those listed:
- Targeted sanctions against entities responsible for obstructing humanitarian access, including Israeli leaders.
- Leading a coordinated international effort with the UN to ensure safe humanitarian corridors into Gaza.
- Suspending diplomatic relations with Israel.
“Our credibility and moral leadership depend on taking bold and principled action now.”
